One of the common criticisms I hear about Christianity is that people often feel as if Christians “hate” people, and are very judgemental. This, in some ways, is true. However, in some ways, it isn’t true. In this article, I will attempt to explain why Christians give off this vibe, and are sometimes mislabeled as “hateful or judgemental.” I will also explain why sometimes we are (admittedly) very judgemental.
Why Christians Hate People? Do They Really Hate People?
Whenever we say the word “Christians, it is hard to define each individual that claims to be a Christian. After all, one Christian may behave very differently from another. We are all unique with our own beliefs and personalities. I have known some amazing Christians, who made me want to work harder to be like them because they set such a great example.
In contrast, I have known some not-so-great Christians who made me feel disappointed in their actions or behaviors. So there is a very broad group of people within the Christian community, and it is important not to impose labels on Christianity as a whole, based on one person. In fact, Christianity should be based on one person’s actions alone: Jesus Christ. If you want to know how Christianity SHOULD be, and what a true Christian is, look at Jesus and only Jesus. Don’t look at me, your friend, or your local church.
But sometimes a Christian may seem as if they are hating against a certain group, or certain belief. Why is that? I’ll explain. Do you remember being in school, and there was always a “teacher’s pet?” You know who I am talking about, that person who always followed the rules. Who did everything by the book. Who also probably told on people who didn’t follow the rules….you get the idea.
Why did they do this? The answer is that there is simply something in human nature, that makes us all feel that when someone isn’t following the “rules,” it is wrong (especially when we take effort to follow them ourselves). When we work hard to live by a standard, we often expect others to do the same. It isn’t just Christianity, EVERY person and EVERY religion does this.
It doesn’t matter what it is. Imagine you go to work and plan on working really hard. Then, you see a fellow employee slacking. It probably frustrates you doesn’t it? You are holding yourself to a very high work standard, and when you see someone slacking off, you get frustrated and judgemental. In that same way, Christians are trying to be as “spiritually” hard working as possible. When they see someone slacking spiritually, they often want to help correct them, or may even make judgements about their behavior.
Christianity often sticks out in this regard. Why? Because many Christians have a very high level of morality defined in their mind. When they experience something in society that goes against this morality (and thus goes against God), they see this a very negative thing. Considering we are inundated with immorality, it makes for a frequent dynamic of criticisms from Christians.
You probably do the same thing on a daily basis, regardless of your own personal beliefs. For example, if I told you that a man down the street was molesting kids all the time, how would you feel about him? You would probably be disgusted wouldn’t you? You would look at him differently, and probably think his actions are highly inappropriate. Most people in society would.
Since Christians have a very strict moral code in mind for humanity, they do this same thing. Only, things like adultery, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, pornography, and other things that are accepted as “normal” by many secular society members is believed to be “immoral” and wrong by Christians.
So Christians often allow this morality to affect their actions and beliefs in life. If they hear someone is doing something immoral, or trying to legalize something immoral, they can become quite vocal and express their opinion, sometimes pass judgements, and so forth.
So Do Christians Hate Non-Christians or Sinners?
God hates sin. Christians hate sin.
I hate the sins I have committed in my life. I absolutely hate them and regret them all. I am very judgemental towards my past sins, and realize how foolish I was. But does that mean I hate myself? Of course not. Sins aren’t fun, and nothing good ever comes from sin. Sin leads to misery and death.
But that doesn’t mean that we hate people who sin. We hate the sin they do. We hate the affect of sin in people’s lives and in society. But we don’t hate the sinning people, per se. We have all sinned at some point. The bible says all men have fallen short of the glory of God.
One of the most famous sermons of Jesus gave was, “love your enemies.” That is powerful. Christians aren’t taught to “hate” sinners or hate people like some suggest. We are taught to love even our direct enemies! Wow. That is difficult.
But Christians are also taught to be wary of sin. To avoid sinful behavior, and stay on the narrow path in life. We are even told to avoid close associations with sinners, and to be a “light” for the world.
Because of this, we don’t think sin is cute, funny, or appropriate. We don’t tolerate sin being paraded around or celebrated. We also tend to look at any and all sins in the same way a non-religious person looks at a deranged serial killer. We think all sins are wrong and totally inappropriate. We struggle daily to resist the temptation to sin, and sometimes, fall short ourselves and we must then repent and turn away from sin.
Because we are so “aware” of sin, we often pass judgements and discernment’s on people, actions, and so forth.
Doesn’t the Bible Say Not to Judge? Why Do Christians Judge People?
It is true that Jesus told us the following:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?—-Matthew 7:1-5
From the reading of this passage, it is clear that we shouldn’t be hypocrites when judging. In other words, if we say homosexuality is wrong, we should NOT go home and then engage in a homosexual relationship. If we say adultery is wrong, we better not be cheating on our spouses. And yes, there are some hypocrites in Christianity. But not all Christians judge hypocritically. Many judge appropriately.
The bible actually commands that we don’t judge HYPOCRITICALLY. It doesn’t say that we shouldn’t judge and discern behavior and people. In fact, it actually suggests that we should several times.
Matthew 7:15 tells us to do the following:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
How would we know if someone was a “false prophet” unless we make judgements and discernments about their teachings and actions? We couldn’t! So must be able to judge people’s actions and teachings.
Again, in Romans 16:17 we find the following:
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
And in 1 Colossians 5 we see:
9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
In the verses above we see that again we are supposed to exercise caution, and a discerning judgment against all people, and even a stronger judgement for actual believers. Otherwise, how would we know if they were sexually immoral, greedy, or anything else unless we made that judgment about them in our mind?
Notice how Paul says that “God will judge those outside the church.” He is referring to the “Great Judgement” here. He is not saying we should not exercise caution and discerning judgment ourselves from ALL people. We should. He is simply saying that God will deal with those who reject him in the judgment, and Christians should help keep Christians in line by constantly encouraging, judging, and correcting each other when necessary. It is also important to judge ourselves.
Conclusion: All People Make Judgements, Not Just Christians. We Hate Sin, but Not Sinners
In conclusion, Christians hate sin, not sinners. We are told to love our enemies. At the same time, we are told to stay away from sinful behavior, to stay on the narrow path, and to keep God’s laws in our hearts and minds.
Thus, because we strive to do this, we must constantly judge ourselves and others’ behavior. We must correct sin in ourselves, and help instruct others of sins they may be doing.
This often gives Christians a label as if we are judgemental. Of course we are. I have yet to meet 1 human being of any religion that isn’t judgmental about something or someone. And the bible actually commands us to judge (just not hypocritically). Discerning things is a part of the human experience. We all think and reason, and because of this, we all make judgements daily, hourly, sometimes by the minute.
So yes, we judge sometimes. People have judged me in the past, which really made me upset. Until I had a reality check and realized they were right. Then, I was glad they pointed it out. It allowed me to improve myself, and become a better Christian.
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Posted under general questions, sin
