Duplicity in religion

[Icepick]

I'm sitting in church one day listening to the sermon. At the core of the story of this particular teaching of Christ was a message of anti-materialism. Then it hit me. Jesus Christ's teachings were all basically rooted in the rejection of the material (much like Buddha - IMHO.) Then I walk out into the parking lot and find myself surrounded by Mercedes, Lincolns, Lexus, BMW, Hummer... All driven by people who will go home to their McMansions filled with frivolous items.

I find it very laughable that these people take their religion seriously enough to visit church every week, wear gold chains with the crucifix around their necks, profess up and down how they're proud of their Christianity and yet completely reject it's core teachings. Why even bother? The guy they're all praising every week completely sacrificed all things material while suggesting that his followers do the same and at the same time they worship the material world. If these people really believed in the religion they pretend to practice they'd donate more to the needy and live more modest lives. Now there's some duplicity for you.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Never judge a religion based on the people who practice it.

 

[punjabiplaya]

humans are hypocrites, no matter what religion, creed, etc...

If you want to delve deeper into the "protestant work ethic" go read about social contract, hobbes, locke, etc...

 

[Eli]

Religious people are often hypocritical in a wide number of fairly profound ways.

They're just human. In essence, every person on the planet has their own personal religion - even if they group themselves in the same category as others.

 

[Arkaign]

Ghandi (paraphrasing here) :

I like your Christ.

I do not like your Christians.

 

[Angry Irishman]

Who cares...it's their business not yours.

 

[Zeze]

Ghandi (paraphrasing here) :

I like your Christ.

I do not like your Christians.

He said one more line-

"Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

 

[IronWing]

So do something about - steal their stuff.

 

[punjabiplaya]

So do something about - steal their stuff.

Robin Hood = Jesus???

 

[IronWing]

Robin Hood = Jesus???

Saint Robin da Hood

 

[busydude]

Robin Hood = Jesus???

Jesus = Socialist

Obama = Socialist

Jesus = Obama

 

[nageov3t]

Ghandi (paraphrasing here) :

I like your Christ.

I do not like your Christians.

he also didn't like our blacks

 

[IronWing]

he also didn't like our blacks

Must resist straight line.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Never judge a religion based on the people who practice it.

This.

I had something huge written up, but really, this just sums it all up.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Never judge a religion based on the people who practice it.

Yea, Judge it on the asshole god that sets most of humanity up to suffer eternal torture.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I'm sitting in church one day listening to the sermon. At the core of the story of this particular teaching of Christ was a message of anti-materialism. Then it hit me. Jesus Christ's teachings were all basically rooted in the rejection of the material (much like Buddha - IMHO.) Then I walk out into the parking lot and find myself surrounded by Mercedes, Lincolns, Lexus, BMW, Hummer... All driven by people who will go home to their McMansions filled with frivolous items.

I find it very laughable that these people take their religion seriously enough to visit church every week, wear gold chains with the crucifix around their necks, profess up and down how they're proud of their Christianity and yet completely reject it's core teachings. Why even bother? The guy they're all praising every week completely sacrificed all things material while suggesting that his followers do the same and at the same time they worship the material world. If these people really believed in the religion they pretend to practice they'd donate more to the needy and live more modest lives. Now there's some duplicity for you.

Really? The core of Christianity is not to force yourself into destitution. The core of Christianity is to love your brother like yourself.

Here's a thought... If you're poor, what can you contribute to charity? But if you're well off and your core values compell you to help others... How is it a bad thing if you drive a nice car and donate thousands to worthy causes?

There's no duplicity in your rant... only jealosy. You have no idea what those people do to help other people. Not saying they are active donors but you don't know that. All you see is a nice car and you instantly think 'hypocrite!'

Grow up.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Never judge a religion based on the people who practice it.

Never judge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14vPHTa6xfU&feature=related

 

[xaeniac]

jesus christ was perfect

 

[Icepick]

Really? The core of Christianity is not to force yourself into destitution. The core of Christianity is to love your brother like yourself.

Here's a thought... If you're poor, what can you contribute to charity? But if you're well off and your core values compell you to help others... How is it a bad thing if you drive a nice car and donate thousands to worthy causes?

There's no duplicity in your rant... only jealosy. You have no idea what those people do to help other people. Not saying they are active donors but you don't know that. All you see is a nice car and you instantly think 'hypocrite!'

Grow up.

I'll expand on your example and play a little devil's advocate. Think about it this way. If you're poor then you probably can't contribute much to charity but your time which, many poor people do.

If you're well-off then you can afford to donate much more. Take the Lincoln SUV's which start at $57,000. The same person could choose to purchase a Hyundai Santa Fe instead ($23,000) and take the difference ($34,000) and use it to assist a person or even a whole family who is in need. This money could be put to good use helping a family better themselves or even to get them on the right direction to being "well off" themselves. The person driving the Hyundai doesn't give up anything from a practical standpoint. They can still get to wherever they need to at the same speeds.

This is the kind of thinking that Jesus would have had in mind. Shedding materialism leads to spiritual happiness.

Hey, I'm just sayin...

 

[nageov3t]

being Catholic means we can do whatever we want, as long as we feel bad about it afterward.

 

[mattpegher]

Damn, by duplicity I was thinking more along the lines of ditheism. Christianity claims to be a monotheism but attributes all evil to the devil. It makes a weak case for the devil being not omnipotent and therefore not a true god but in assigning creative powers that argument just doesnt hold water.
As for hypocracy, sure most people are hypocrites. Socialists claim they want to share everything, but they want a bigger share for themselves. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus all religious chose what teachings to follow and which to ignore. Ideologies are just that idological they dont work in reality.

 

[moshquerade]

I'm sitting in church one day listening to the sermon. At the core of the story of this particular teaching of Christ was a message of anti-materialism. Then it hit me. Jesus Christ's teachings were all basically rooted in the rejection of the material (much like Buddha - IMHO.) Then I walk out into the parking lot and find myself surrounded by Mercedes, Lincolns, Lexus, BMW, Hummer... All driven by people who will go home to their McMansions filled with frivolous items.

I find it very laughable that these people take their religion seriously enough to visit church every week, wear gold chains with the crucifix around their necks, profess up and down how they're proud of their Christianity and yet completely reject it's core teachings. Why even bother? The guy they're all praising every week completely sacrificed all things material while suggesting that his followers do the same and at the same time they worship the material world. If these people really believed in the religion they pretend to practice they'd donate more to the needy and live more modest lives. Now there's some duplicity for you.

who are you to judge?

 

[ch33zw1z]

Hypocrisy runs deep in all sorts of people. Don't worry about others, just make your own way.

BTW OP, I don't think you're in the wrong being aware of your surroundings, other people in the thread call it "judging". Majority of Christians I know will judge at the drop of a hat and never look back. Sad.

 

[Skillet49]

Doesn't the big picture matter? I mean, if those people with expensive cars give a lot to churches, charity, volunteer, love others, etc. does it really matter what they drive? I see what you're saying but just because someone owns an expensive vehicle does not mean that they are selfish, materialistic, etc. 1) It is not our place to judge others, but of course we all do this at times (after all we are human), 2) Big picture matters, 3) I don't think not being materialistic was the primary teaching of Christ. It was definitely something that he preached often, but IMO it was more of an overall think of other people before you think of yourself. That does include materialism to a certain extent but I think how we treat ourselves and each other has a much larger impact than what car we choose to drive.

 

[slayer202]

OP is trolling