You have likely hit on the thing that is wrong with Christianity today. There are many people who are as you say, Sunday Christians. When I was growing up it was referred to as "Backseat Saturday night, Front pew Sunday morning" Christians. Hypocrites. Plain and simple. I do not deny it. But is that the fault of Christianity? No more than a basketball player shaving points off a game is the games fault.



Just as there is evidence of God's wrath there is also evidence of God's mercy. When hearts were turned away from Him, He punished. When hearts were turned towards Him, He blessed. There was always a shot or two, or many across the bow before the punishment. Read anywhere in the Old Testament and find where He unjustly punished anyone. I will say it before you do. Who is to say what is just? He does. Why? Because He is God. Believe in Him or not, He is real, He is God.



Trashing temples turned to profits: Why did Jesus do that? The temple was a holy place that was set aside for the worship of God. There were those that turned it into a market place. They saw a profit where they should have seen God. Jesus understood that the worship of God was the most important thing.
Partying with the hookers and diseased: Why did He do that? Paraphasing, He said healthy people don't need a doctor, the sick do. You have given a good example of what the example of Christ is. Why was He associating with these people? Because they needed Him. They were lost, dying and going to hell. He should them mercy, kindness and love. The religious leaders of His day had the same thoughts you do. Why would He hang around them? It was out of love that He taught them, shared with them and healed them.
There are no rich people in heaven: Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler he had to sell all he had and follow Him? Jesus knew his heart. He knew that the young man liked his stuff. Did Jesus really intend for him to do that? Maybe. Is the only way we can be Christians is to live in poverty? Absolutely not, however when our money becomes more important than He is, then we have gotten off track.


Good discussion.

Don't be so quick to assume..

This is the same argument, they aren't dedicated enough and thus are not "real" Christians. Christianity is inherently hypocritical, every Christian a hypocrite. Can you think of one who isn't?



This is why I can't believe in a god. No god would engage in the behavior attributed to it by its followers if it were actually a god. Either god is omnipotent or there is no god, no religion is consistent with an omnipotent god. The Christian god is as inconsistent as any other. I don't even need to quote the evil acts committed by the Christian god in the bible when I can point to hell. According to Christians it is where I will end up. It's where every heathen goes. Your god has sentenced me to inescapable eternal torture. You think this is justice? If this is god all he will get from me is a middle finger. If this is god, Satan was right. Anything responsible for this injustice should be destroyed, I will never bow.



If Jesus comes back he's gonna have to burn every church to the ground.



In the time it has taken you to read this post hundreds of children have died preventable deaths. Unless you are a fast reader, hundreds of sex slaves have been raped. By Christians.
Where is Jesus now?

Jesus hung out with the outcasts of his society and gave them food and miracles, why don't Christians? America is the wealthiest nation in history, it is completely dominated by Christians. Who would Jesus bomb? Which greedy bankers would he give hundreds of billions of dollars to while children starved?
Regardless of the biblical stories about Jesus as a magical hippie do-gooder, Christianity is a failure. It doesn't matter why Jesus did anything, Christians are not Jesus. In my experience they tend to be the people the least like Jesus. Would the history of horrors Christianity has spawned in our civilization exist if this were not true?



I'll see you in hell. Jesus is repeatedly explicit about abandoning your wealth to help others. He went to the worst places, hung out with the worst people. What would Jesus do with the house or car of your average Christian? What would Jesus do with the money in your bank account? How would you feel if you gave Jesus your credit card and he maxed it out buying condoms for hookers? The Jesus of the bible would never live as Christians do, he would be drinking wine with everyone Christians hate. Like I said before, if emulating Jesus is "Christian" then Christianity is not Christian.

You must be awesome at parties, Dick.

Last time I saw you at a party you passed out on my bed...

There is a bit a hypocrisy in everyone and a lot of sin in everyone. Which is exactly why Jesus chose to die for each of us, even you Dick. As a Christian I would be the first to say I fail more than I succeed in being His example, however that does not change that I am a Christian, nor does that diminish what a Christian should be. Who is to blame for your anger towards Christianity? I honestly do not think it is you. I blame those that you have come in contact with that are poor examples of Christ. Having said that I won't you to understand you will not find a mirror image of Christ here on earth. It is impossible because He was perfect and we as humans are not.





I would like to hear your examples of evil acts, but since you pointed out hell I will start there. Why was hell created? Was it so God would have somewhere to send those that did not act exactly the way He wanted them to? Hell was created for Satan and his demons. God's desire is that no one perish. (2 Peter 3:9) The choice of hell is the individual's. Silly example, but if I told you the stove was hot and you touched it anyway then is it my fault that you burned your hand?

http://www.gotquestions....ans-road-salvation.html





Given the historical example of Christ discussed here, I think He would go inside and minister through His love.





Again you have a misconception of the work that Christians do. The Southern Baptist Convention mobilizes to send workers and supplies whenever there is a disaster such as Hurricane Katrina. SBC is the 3rd largest relief organization in the US. They provided 30k workers throughout the Gulf Coast that provided support for the other agencies. All of this is made possible through local churches providing money and workers. Who made them do it? It was done because that is what Christ commanded. It was done through obedience to Him and with love to those that are in need. This is one area that you cannot dispute because I know individuals that have been a part of these type of relief efforts.




First off you will not see me in hell.
One of the most often misquoted verses is "Money is the root of all evil." Sounds like God does not like my money and that Jesus would not associate with me if I had any. Notice I said the most often misquoted. The verse is actually "For the love of money is the root of all evil." Money is not evil. When it takes the place of God, it is.
As much as you may not like to admit it, you and I may not be too far from agreeing on your last 2 sentences, but the Christians you have seen are not the way all of them are.

Why can't I find a mirror image of Christ among the Christians? I don't think his behavior is particularly difficult to emulate, minus the magic tricks. It's obviously counter to most typical human behaviors, but that's why we have civilization. This is one of the reasons I am angry towards Christianity. WWJD? Satan tempted him with the world and he rejected it. Christians inability to overcome the simplest temptations pisses me off. The entire culture of contemporary Christianity pisses me off. I've never met a Christian who could see the plank in their own eye.




This is the central problem of omnipotence. If you are god and I burn my hand on the stove it is your fault. You made me and the stove, and when you did you knew I would burn my hand on the stove.
God's desire is that I go to hell, I'm a blasphemer. Go look it up, even Jesus says I am unforgivable.
As far as the evil acts of god, I can find a list for you sometime. Starting with the very creation of evil itself.



I have no doubt that Christians do good things. Even the hate filled Southern Baptists. I'm sure that Hitler did a kind thing in his life too.
This point does get at another thing that pisses me off about Christians. You call doing things because you believe you have been commanded to do them morality. I don't need a god to tell me what is right or wrong, I can figure it out on my own. It's great that the fear of eternal torture gets people to help others but it doesn't confer morality. The whole forgiveness story line always gives you an out. You can murder the world and find absolution, so long as you don't deny that Jesus Christ is your lord.




Who doesn't love money? Christianity has never fought capitalism.