7 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Most Christians


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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

I am a religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with my wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Find more here: JustinWise.me
  • Steven
    Reason # 1 should be:

    1) Because Christians focus on other peoples' sin more than their own. We take away rights from gay people instead of treating them fairly and letting God be the judge.
  • jaredly2
    Great post! I really like number 2, now that you say it, that is a good way to get your way.
  • Well, arn't we just a Holy lot? lol
    Sad that we can be classified as copiers and not innovaters - we are supposed to be disciples of the CREATOR, besides the fact that we are created in His image. So we should rather be known for the stuff we create and the awesome ideas we come up with (giving God the create all the time)
  • WOW! I love this! I just found your site, and read this, and man, I feel EXACTLY the same way! Thank God for this generation of believers, who are just so straight up about the things of God. God is so amazing, so awesome, I'm glad that we have people that can just be REAL and not RELIGIOUS! God is really separating all those (in my opinion!) "phony" Christians who put up a front, and real people who JUST LOVE JESUS AND THAT'S IT! They just want to do whatever God says, not be weird, be themselves, and just bring God's kingdom everywhere. Thank you!
  • Michael ... Thanks for your kind words! The key, I think, is to be honest without sounding cranky. Hopefully I've done that well!

    Thanks again ... And welcome to the community.
  • I agree 100%.
  • Excellent post!
  • Ruth
    Number 3, My first husband left my children and I for one of his many girlfriends. That did not hurt as bad as the "Christian" friends that acted as if I was now a fallen women because I had a divorce. After "dieing to myself" for 14 years of an unhappy marriage I did not deserve to be treated that way just because I married a man who was a cheater! I ended up leaving my church moving to a new city and starting over, but because my self worth had been totally destroyed, I married a man that was to good to be true, and guess what he was not true. He tried to kill me! Life with him was pure torture. I stayed with him until he started threatening to kill the kids to control me! So now in many "Christian" eyes I am a trollop! I want to go to ministry school but while they will take my money and let me go to school they won't let me be ordained because of my past. Divorce is not always wrong! Should a couple stay together when one partner is abusive? According to the Bible adultery is grounds for divorce. "Christians are quicker to forgive a murderer than a person with a divorce! Especially one like me who has two divorces.

    I for one am glad I got out of the abusive relationship 14 years ago. And my cheating first husband is on wife number 5 (left everyone for another woman)

    Don't be so quick to tell people to stay married! You don't know what goes on in their home!
  • Ruth

    Absolutely. You made the right decision. I certainly wasn't suggesting that people must remain in abusive relationships ... Neither does the Bible!

    I wrote that with the Christians who sever the ties in their marriage because things get difficult. Or inconvenient. Or hard. That's not a biblical basis for marriage and we cheapen that union when we treat it so flippantly.

    I'm sorry to hear of your relationship ... But know this: God desires to restore you and any future relationship you may have!
  • Know why I don't like some Christians? They go around writing stuff like this that is so dead on that it is convicting. Why can't I just be hypocritical and be left alone?
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