7 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Most Christians

Full Disclosure: Before I get started, you need to know this is a blatant rip-off of Tony Morgan’s post by (almost) the same name. Kudos to him for thinking of the idea. Now I’m going to steal it and put my own spin on it. /Full Disclosure.

Usually I like spending my time thinking of a solution rather than the problem. I am, to use a theological term, a “critical realist.” A pessimistic optimist. For me, the glass is usually half-full.

This post will be a little different. I think those of us who follow Jesus need to own up to the fact that we’ve really blown it. Not blown it in a, “we’re all sinners saved by grace,” kind of way, but in a “you’re an ignorant jerk” kind of way. This list is my best attempt to pull the skeletons out of our church closet. Here’s why I don’t like most Christians:

1. We shoot our wounded. Christians should be the most tender and merciful to their own brothers and sisters, but too often fallen Christians are the ones we’re quickest to demonize. Look at how we’ve treated Ted Haggard, Todd Bentley, and Jimmy Swaggart, to name a few. Maybe it’s to save some face. Maybe it’s to gain clout with an unbelieving world. Maybe it’s because we think we could do better. Whatever the reason, it bugs me. (And keep in mind, I’m as guilty as anyone. I’ve done it, on this blog even.)

2. We put spiritual sounding language on things to make them sound better.
What we say: “I’ve fasted and prayed really hard about this, so this is what I think we should do.
What we mean: “I’m unsure about my decision and too scared of conflict to state my wishes plainly, so I’m going to use power language so you can’t argue with me and I get my way.” I’ve seen it a thousand times. I’m sure you have to. This undermines the times where God does truly speak to us in profound ways through prayer. Stop it.

3. We divorce each other. A lot. The Christian divorce rate is no better, and in some cases higher, than those who don’t consider themselves Christian. This makes Christians look silly and our beliefs paper thin. If you’re married, stay married. Die to yourself. Don’t quit.

4. We are lousy tippers. One of the most popular posts on this site is called “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.” It’s popular for a reason: It’s true. Read the post, but more importantly, read the comments. They’re filled with servers, Christians and non-Christians alike, who can attest to the fact that followers of Jesus are tightwads. Prove them wrong. Tip more.

5. We belittle people and then expect them to listen about Jesus’ love for them. There is a local talk show here in Des Moines that has a “Christian” conservative on as a regular guest. In one breath, he will berate one of the hosts of the show because he doesn’t lean the same way politically, and in the next breath he will talk about what he did at church the past weekend. It makes me irate. Disagree with people, fine, but please treat them like they’re a human being.

6. We copy, we don’t innovate. As Christians, we have the living Spirit of Christ within us. Suffice to say, he’s pretty creative. If the Holy Spirit ever took high school art, he would get an A+. So why do we spend so much time aping what the world does instead of asking that same Spirit to breath through us to create something that’s never been created before?

7. We think we know everything. This one could take all day. I’ll save you, though. The more I know Christ, the less I am sure of. And not just spiritual things, everything. That’s why I don’t understand why cranky Christians think they have a lock on everything from who’s going to hell to who’s going to win the election (or who should win the election) to what day we should hold services on. God is great and knows all. We do not.

What do you think? Do you have anything to add to this list? I do not intend for this to be a bash session, but somebody’s got to say it. Let’s clear the air. Discuss.

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Contributor: Justin Wise

A religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with his wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Culture + Faith + Technology. Contact the author

Guest

How about most of us ignorantly deny highly proven scientific principles. A lot of Christians automatically oppose scientific principles without ever re-thinking how that science might fit into a world that God meant to work that way.

Susan

I tell you true, I have, within the last year, almost walked away from the Church (I am Catholic) because of the words and actions of my Christian brethren. If some of those people are what I am supposed to be, I want NOTHING to do with Christianity.

I realize though, that what others do is not what matters, it's what I do that counts. I'm still working through this dark valley, but because I am a hopeful soul (I love your "pessimistic optimist" by the way), I will look for the brightness. I know He is still there, and we'll get on the same page again one day soon.

Justin Wise

@Susan: Stay strong, sister. You'll make it through! If nothing else, I have learned the reality that our faith is only safe is Jesus. No one else. He is King, let him guide you.

Susan

Thanks Justin, for your encouragement!

Alex Schroeder

#8. We openly hate our enemies and find personal joy in God's impending judgement of others. I can't tell you how many times I've read or heard the words of judgemental Christians finding satisfaction in the eternal doom of sinners. A sort of "wait till those evil people get theirs" sort of attitude.

They might want to take a moment to read Matthew 7:1-5. Although they'd have a little trouble reading the words past the log in their eye.

lawyervon

Didn't David clearly do that in Psalms? I think that dichotomy in and of itself creates alot of confusion in the believer. There's plenty of "wait till those evil people get theirs" in Scripture itself, so what are we supposed to do with that?

Onyx

Ah yes, David did do that...but as followers of Christ we are Christians, not Davidians...scripture does not exhort us to follow anything David said or did...except to follow God and worship him alone.

By this they will know that we have the love of Christ in us; if we have love one for another (and that includes towards them). Let us love them all into heaven, not curse them all to hell.

Marc

Yes, seven times over. There must be times where Jesus has a hard time recognizing us as His followers.

Jeremy Anderberg

response to #3: more than 80% of Americans call themselves "Christians". In that sense the divorce rate is about the same. As Pastor Mike mentioned in the marriage sermon a few weeks ago though, among Christians who attend and participate in their church regularly, that rate is MUCH lower.

#8: we create huge divisions within the Church [Christians as a whole] by arguing about minor theological doctrines such as creation and baptism and women in leadership. This leads to setting a bad example for those people who don't yet know Christ. It's so sad.

jj

A rate is not a total amount, but rather a number per unit. So it does not matter if there were 10% or 80% Christians in the USA, a divorce rate is the proportion of those people who fall into a category who get divorced. Math time!
Let us have a population of 100 married couples. 80, or 80%, of them are Christian, and the other 20, 20%, are non-Christians. If the oft said divorce rate of 50% was true, then half of all of these couples would divorce (40 and 10, respectively). Regardless of actual numbers, what matters is the proportion and this makes the divorce rate. What #3 was saying was that in some areas, more Christians proportionally get divorced (ie- more than the 40 couples compared to 10 or less couples).

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