The hypocrisy of the religious (and the non-religious)

The term, "hypocrisy" is often misused. Webster's defines it as follows:

"a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion"

Being the parent of teenage children, I am often told that I am a hypocrite because I don't want my kids to drink or do drugs, because I did both when I was a teenager and a young adult.  That is a classic misuse of the term.  If I told them not to partake in those things and then turned around and smoked a big fat one, THAT would be hypocritical.  


This term is often used by the non-religious, atheists, agnostics, whatever you want to call them, when describing organized religion and the people who follow it.  They will site the atrocities committed by people centuries ago who were acting in the name of Christianity (the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.) and then proclaim Christians as a bunch of hypocrites because these past occurrences go against what Christians believe today as the true Word of Christ (Love thy neighbor, thy brother, etc.).  This does not make present-day Christians hypocrites because it involves past actions measured against current beliefs.  Now, if these same things were going on today (I can hear the atheists screaming right now, "they are!") that would make them hypocrites.  I will point out one recent instance where this is actually the case. 

Apparently, because of pressure from a Christian group, Lowe's Home Improvement Stores have pulled sponsorship from the TLC show, American Muslim.  This is an example of people, trying to act in the name of Christianity, displaying hypocrisy.    I've seen the show and I believe that it does a good job of portraying the average American Muslim family.  It isn't anti-Christian and it isn't really pro-Muslim.  It just shows how people with a different religious belief live, pray and work in America.  It exposes not only the ignorance of those who want to cancel the show and not be educated on a different part of our culture, but also some very strong beliefs that the Muslim community holds that we as Christians may not agree with. 

Boycotting and closing your mind to this show is not "Christian" behavior and is in fact, hypocritical.  This show is not trying to convert us into Muslims.  This show is not glorifying the Islamic faith.  It's just a show!

Now, just so I don't leave anyone NOT mad at me, let's talk about the atheists.

The main point of view that I hear from the atheists like those from "Freedom From Religion" is that the Nativity Scene is an insult to man and that we don't need to believe in God in order to treat our fellow man with love and respect.  I agree with the second point, not the first of course.  But this message is just riddled with hypocrisy.  How can you "preach" Godless love and respect toward your fellow man and completely offend him and disrespect him with a statement against his faith?

The point is that both sides of this argument need to open their minds.  Those of us who are Christian need to accept that there are people with other faiths who will not be swayed in their opinion, no matter what.  If they are law-abiding citizens who are courteous and respectful towards us, they deserve the same in return.  Atheists, you in turn need to realize that despite your obviously superior intellect that has given you the ability to somehow rationalize the nonexistence of God, there are people just as smart as you who can rationalize it.  Hatred and disrespect toward your fellow man because they believe in God goes against the "love and respect" mantra that I hear from your side.

So, in summary...

Christians, just let the non-believers be and stand firm in your faith.  Do not be swayed by the naysayers and treat your fellow man with respect, regardless of their faith or lack thereof.

Atheists, just let the believers be.  I will pray for your soul every night even though you believe it is futile to do so.  In return, all I ask is that while you may disagree with my faith, treat me and my beliefs with respect. 

Hopefully I didn't succeed in driving away the dozen or so faithful readers of this blog.