Question: Why are the Majority of Proclaimed Christians, Hypocritical Bigots?

Question submitted on Yahoo on the internet:Most don't read the bible, attend religious services, or pray. A higher percentage of Christians commit crimes than non-religious people and Christians are more likely to support capital punishment and wars which are all murder. Non-religious people tend to be more tolerant and accepting, promoting social welfare and peace. But then Christians procliam to have some kind of moral superiority.

Why is this so backwards?

Answer provided by the writer: With any religion, those who attend services and are active participants in good standing with their church or other place of worship find themselves at different levels of understanding and practice. I cannot speak in agreement with your rhetorical question, but as a Christian and Episcopalian will respond in kind regarding the Christian experience.

A proclaimed Christian will probably be Baptized, recite the creeds, and other prayers in Church, and do deeds of service. These similar kinds of acts are pretty standard Christian practice for the good Christian. Even the regular or average one of good standing.

Yet many Christians fail, and all Christians are in some manner or degree sinners. That is a human who is and will, has failed in the eyes of Christ in God. It is in returning to the Lord, as practice, that redemption can be found. At least this is a significant way. Interestingly, among many believers in this faith, intention is important.

Each Christian meets his fellow where he may be in his journey, hypocrite, warmonger, war starter, warrior, supporter of capital punishment, evil conservative, tyrannical socialist, or even Fascist (pretty far gone, I know), or other. I cannot agree that the higher percentage of Christians commit crimes, but you may be right.

Jails are full of Christians. One reason they seek out the faith and way of living is that it is a way of forgiveness and mercy. It is also a way of transformation and change, whether that search for such is honest or not isn't the issue. Come and see at a Church to discover or observe this God who is generous, kind, merciful, and faithful to human beings through history. That is not an anser, per se. It is a way of saying, is this God's fault that Christians may fail? They do.

But most important in my answer, is the fact that ministers and members of the Church meet their fellows where they may be, not as they would be perfect, or as Christians would like them to be.

I cannot speak to how many read the Bible, but in the Church of my denomination, if one attends one is going to hear the Bible read.

Interestingly, though, the Episcopalian who is a member remains in good standing and is considered in Communion if he or she attends worship services and takes Eucharist a mere three times a year. This means going, for instance, or Christmas, Easter, and other time. This seems scant attendance, I know. But it is so.

As for the non-religious being the better part of human kind, I cannot speak in answer to your assertion. There are, after all, a billion Christians in the world--if memory serves correct. Many may be failed Christians, even those who have fallen away but still consider themselves Christian. You may be speaking of these, too, in your question. Regardless, they identify with Christianity, and even if not the better part may have to be their light, as Christians and Christianity is a light to the world. So I believe.

Christians live a life and way, their Church is a moral organization, and by definition membership and participation in such is a valid source of the moral life. Christ is and was a moral force, a good, in the world both now and in the history of mankind. I think most peole would say so, even those not practicing or professed Christians.

How moral is what I've discussed as more, for you imply a requirement of high standard. As I say, we meet each other where one may be.

Do I think they are morally superior? Certainly, history and Western Civilization has shown that the Christian influence has been positive and uplifting, despite its human shortcomings, failures, and errors.

This is not so much an apology, but a means of putting a framework on your questions and statements regarding the moral superiority and standing of the Christian faith. This is a framework of Christian living, which follows the poor, chaste, Christ through the year.

Is Christianity not one of the world's great religion, and as such by definition a superior one in our eyes of Western Civilization.

--Peter Menkin, Obl Cam OSB

Mill Valley, CA USA

(north of San Francisco)