Behind The Mask...

Unfortunately I do! You know what--- I know a couple of people that are this way. Good christian people- but are so 2-faced and mean to others it's crazy. I can't figure it out either. Practice what you preach! I was so mad one time at this man--- he was yelling at me in a parking lot over something that I didn't do-- Blaming me for hurting his wife by leaving her out of things- when it wasn't me--- I looked right at him and said you can go to "he!!" He was stunned. I then said-- as religious as you are-- that is where you will end up by treating me this way!

I don't know anybody like this.. but I hate it when christians online get rowdy defending their points in a debate.. I think this happens cause life is fast paced and we're so busy and people don't always have time to learn the points of their argument(s)! So emotionalism comes in instead.. but this is so self defeating and turns people off to the very kind and benevolent force many call God.. (When if we know the supports for our arguments we'd find there's definitely no reason to 'fear' / we realize truth is so solid, it doesn't actually need anyone to defend it.. just to speak it once in awhile..) - As far as the lady you know, it sounds to me like a classic example of following the wrong gospel!

They are hypocrites! it would be great if people actually did practice the teachings of their religion.But there are true Christians out there living out their beliefs. And there are others that are really practicing their religions too.

Last year I took some things along to a local charity shop and while I was there I was abused and berated by a Christian gentleman. The reason for the verbal abuse? I wear a pentagram. How *Christian* was this guy.

I have several theories about this: 1. The person is in the wrong religion, miserable, and taking it out on others. OR 2. The person is in the religion for the wrong reason, to use it to control or push others around. OR 3. The French saying of, "He who accuses, excuses." If I keep pointing my finger at someone else, no one notices what I'm doing wrong. I find the loudest and most accusitory have the most interesting skeletins in their closet. I agree, there are some in every religion, unfortunately. I've been involved with many religions and these people ruin it for everyone. That's why I just do my own thing and not go to churches. Wherever two or more gather in his name, there seems to be fighting, accusing, etc. But not just his name, her name, their name, etc.

This is the very reason I say "If that's a Christian then I don't want to be one." Because that's not a true Christian. A true Christian doesn't talk about others like a bad way like that but more in a "I wish they could change but I still love them" or "I know she/he is doing wrong and wish I could help them" but to down right talk badly about anyone is not a true Christian. That is a true hypocrite to the Lord's word. Animals are God's creatures and so to be cutting them down is the same as cutting God down. Again, that's not a true Christian.

twoey68, You said "they pray together as a family and attend church as a family…yet she dislikes most every animal, talks hateful about other ppl behind their back and is quick to pass judgement on everyone other than herself and her family. I can’t believe that anyone that acts like this can say they are Christian". They are not truly Christians. Jesus doesn't teach us to talk other people behind their back and to pass quick judgement on everyone. This is definitely a hyprocrite's behavior. Isaiah 29:13 -- The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men". Matthew 15:8 -- "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me". You asked "Why do you suppose ppl act that way?" I am not quite sure why they are acting like that. But looking at what hypocrite people usually do, I think that they want others to perceive them as righteous people You asked "Do you think it gives their church a bad image?" Church is NOT God. Church is supposed to be consist of true believers. However, there are hypocrite people who sit among God's people and God knows those who loves Him. Bible warns us that "He will sort out the true converts from the false on the Day of Judgment. All hypocrites will end up in hell" (Matthew 24:51).

All i can say that this lady may THINK she is a christian but if she is really sincere she will probably go through a firey trial of some kind...I say this because if she really loves God she is either self righteous are ignoeant of what a christian means....It sounds as through she is cutting off her nose to spite her face...God has a way to rebuke his children and bring them back to the light,and if this lady really is sincere she will learn a lesson ....God corrects us from our evil ways just as we do our own children...She could be a hypocrite there are many around,and we can see them by the fruit they bear....Just keep your eyes open about this lady she will either shape up,go through a firey trial or she will get worse..Hopefully she will be corrected by God and shape up....if she is sincere that is....She seems to be looking through a glass darkly like the Bible says..She certainly is not following the christain beliefs at this time....I have been through a few trials myself and God has stopped me in my tracks and turned me around,because he loves me and i was not acting right..He teaches us ...Hopefully this wonam is acting in ignorance and needs to have a refreshing .......

I think there are alot of hypocrites out there....and was the woman you were talking about by any stretch of the imagination related to my ex mother in law? She used to always faithfully go to chruch then when her kids were little beat the crap out of them. When she would go to church if she had to serve coffee all she would to is complain about having to do extra things for the church. One day I had had it with her belly aching and said to her.....going to church one day of the week is worthless if you don't live it everyday of your life!

yes i do know someone exactly as you have described here on this post.this person i know is supposed to be a christian,yet she would have to be the most vindictive person i have met and definately nasty and always talking behind other peoples back,and deliberatley causing unrest amongst everyone.i certainly do not want to go to her church if this is the end result.cheers sue

Yes i think it is all a mask sometimes. Just a show on the outside when really some of these people are very judgemental and obllivious to the way that other people could think, Even when that is all they want you to know about is how they think. I think for the world to be peaceful, people must first accept even what they dont understand instead of try to change people and control their way of thinking.

Yes I do know christians who are terribly set against anyone who does not match up to their "standards" and at the same time tries to tear down anyone who might be some sort of "competition" to their image of the ideal christian. They are always comparing themselves to others trying to make it clear why they are the better christians. Quite a turn off actually as they can be so unpleasant and uncomfortable to be around. (lol) Being heavenly minded and no earthly good is surely the recipe for not being a true christian. (lol)

I believe that there's no perfect community or religion or whatever you call their group. Hypocrites are evrywhere. I know a lot of people who are like that. Sometimes I'm like that as well and I just feel guilty about it. The most important thing I think is that they are there for you to love them unconditionally and make you a better Christian. Pray for them as you pray for yourself.

A true christian is not suppose to be gossiping about others, nor be judging another. I would bet that she is a very vain type person who has her own insecurities. She might feel the need to tear others down to pull herself up. The church is not bad it is the people in it.. The old saying is the church is true but the people are not. That is a fact. By being the people we need to be if at all we clsim to be a christian is to be as chrsit like as we can. That means following the commandments, practicing what we preach such as reading scriptures and actually trying to live a life that shows the love we have for each other. So many people have their hang ups on christianity and how it is comprehend. This is why there are so many beliefs, many do not see eye to eye. It is good not to judge nor tear down anyones beliefs. That is a true christian working together to help one another. The problem is very easy? Confront her about her actions. It is always okay not to like something but to express hate is another. Tell her to correct herself when speaking to you as it personally offends you. Tell her why you feel that way.. Ask her to repent her ommisions? To find out how real or true she is she would know what that means, if she does not then help her learn what it means. Tell her that you will pray for her today so that her heart can be free of hate and that her tongue will have soft words flowing from it? Everyone is a hypocrite no matter how we all might look at things.. No one is perfect, but it is good that youare seeing the high and site of how people are in the real world. People are hateful and cruel.. But with kindness and love you can make a difference. Keep your beliefs if you choose. The last thing a christian needs to do is to is push their choice of religion on someone. If you like to help someone know what their responsibilities are for claiming to be a chrsitian is to read scripture yourself out of the Bible so that you can help family members that need to know what it means to claim a christ like image. If it does not work, cut your ties and move on with better acquaitances.

ya I have known people like this and they are hpocrites thats for sure to be a good person you have to give of yourself and not just harp on your famuily as being goo .

I am a Christian and I have seen many people who claim to be Christian spread hate and malice around - just as i have with people of other religions or no religion/ Oddly I was speaking with a friend today who is a youth worker with a Global Christian Organisation about this very subject! To us being a Christian is about following the example of Christ, it is about love, compassion, respect and tolerance and no one will convince me otherwise. The people you talk of may in fact have a lot of faith and be Christians and may not even realise what they are doing - we ar eall human with our own bad points but there are others who claim to be christians as they want to seize on one part of the Bible to twist it and spread hatred against certain people. Does it damage the Church? I am not sure on that , does it damage the reputation of other Christians? Definitely but that is where you show your true colours by showing that not all Christians are like that! xxx

That's precisely one of the reasons I haven't stepped inside a church (except once to visit St. Patrick's in Manhattan) since I was about fifteen....I just couldn't stand the hyprocracy of most people, professing to be devote, love their neighbor on Sunday service then be the biggest hypocrites going. After I left attending church I did continue being "religious" so to say by studying up on the non-denominational sects like Unity and Science of Mind and while I never attended one of their meeting places on a regular basis I did love their concepts...The few times I did go to a Unity Center though, the people were REAL and genuine and very loving people...now while I haven't abandoned my Christian ideals I now follow the pagan path of religious viewpoints Yes though...people who are such hypocrites do give their churches a bad image...whole reason I left

People that are very insecure act this way. It isn't even just the christians or religious people...it is everywhere. Very insecure people feel as if they are making themselves look better by pointing out all that is wrong in everyone and everything but themselves.

I know what you mean...... Sometimes people that say they are spiritual are the most unkind people and sometimes the people that you would call "evil" are the most beautiful people when you get to know them....... I just think it is all relative....... You always get a few bad apples in the bunch.... The main thing is to be a good person yourself and not let what others think effect you in any way....... You have no control over the way they think so it's just wasted energy....... USE that energy to create something beautiful........ http://fast-i-source.com/bread ...........Shredsalot

I am a christian and I do thank Jesus Christ everyday for that.. All christians are not saved by the Grace of God.. If you have been saved and believe in Jesus Christ, then you will act better, not perfect, but much better.. Most of the time, people think that once you are saved then you will do nothing wrong again, but you will, you are still human, just saved and you keep on trying.. To some people christianity is a status symbol, the new clothes for church every Sunday, the dinner out with the family after church and the right to say that they are a christian.. I am a saved christian who the devil picks on constantly and I have to just keep on fighting.. You are not perfect, just forgiven.. I try to act better but sometimes I do lose my temper, say things that I shouldn't and do things that I shouldn't, but I do ask for forgiveness and admit what I have done wrong and try not to do it again.. I do try and live my life as I think God would want me to, but when you do that, the devil will always be on hand to try and tempt you.. After observing people for awhile and there is no change in the way they act, you can almost tell if they are sincere or just putting on an act.. I do know there is only one that I will answer to in the end and I do always try and do better.. It probably is better to just ignore these people and pray for them.. God does work in mysterious ways, let him deal with them.. Many people have many beliefs and you have to find the one that is right for you and I have found mine in Jesus Christ.. God Bless and Happy posting