Are you a hypocrite?

SWTXBelle · #1 08-02-2008, 04:23 PM

This is the result of a recent discussion with my sister. Once again she was going off on how she hates organized religions (and yes, as many of you know, I'm married to an Anglican priest) because of the many hypocrites. I argued that any time you have a group with stated ideals, you have a prime ground for hypocrites. They are not restricted to organized religons.
I was set off when she said "The one thing no one can say about me is that I am a hypocrite." I cried foul, because while she says she is accepting of all religious and spiritual beliefs, she gives me nothing but crap about mine. So, essentially she's accepting of all beliefs except the ones she isn't accepting of - huh? But back to the topic at hand.
For the purposes of this discussion, let's say hypocrites are those who claim to hold certain standards, but who fail to live up to them all the time.
My argument is that EVERYONE is a bit of a hypocrite (I wish I could rewrite "Everyone's a little bit racist" from Ave. Q!) or, if they are not, their standards are too low. "A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" to quote Robert Browning.
As a Christian, I acknowledge that I am a sinner who is forgiven only through the Grace of God , not through my own merit. I profess to hold Jesus as my exemplar, but know full well I am not 100% in compliance with my ideals.
I think that the issue of whether or not someone is a hypocrite boils down to whether or not someone is honestly trying to live up to their self-professed standards. An occasional slip-up does not a hypocrite make - but a continuing pattern of failing to live up to your standards does.

So Elliot Spitzer - hypocrite.

Me saying unchristian things about the sports car that cut me off - ?

What qualifies someone as a hypocrite in your book?

JennRN · #2 08-02-2008, 05:16 PM

At dinner a few weeks ago, my friend went on and on about how no way would she ever eat shark fin soup, or fois gras. She went on and on. I asked her-do you eat veal? Long pause, guilty look, and she said yes.

Ok then.

epchick · #3 08-02-2008, 05:47 PM

My aunt is constantly telling us how her neighbor constantly makes excuses so that she won't have to go with my aunt to church, and she hates it b/c her neighbor NEEDS to go to church. Yet, my aunt rarely goes to church and makes worse excuses than her neighbor (the whole "oh the kids slept in late, and I didn't want to wake them up just to go to church")

I think everyone is a hypocrite in their own way, but its the way they decide to act that determines whether I consider them truly a hypocrite or not. Does that make sense? lol

cheerfulgreek · #4 08-02-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

EVERYONE is a bit of a hypocrite

This is pretty much what I was going to post. Yeah, I agree with this statement.

moe.ron · #5 08-03-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

This is pretty much what I was going to post. Yeah, I agree with this statement.

Oui

A hypocrite here, and not a shame to say it. It's fun!!!!

AKA_Monet · #6 08-03-2008, 02:31 AM

We use judgment as a device to protect ourselves from what we feel harms us or what we fear... It is one of the most ancient of instincts we use.

The thing about hypocrisy is that when one develops policy against a group of people based against the doctrines taught by that group. IMO, hypocrisy also includes deception and lies to fit anyone's perspective.

To respond to judgment and alleviate hypocrisy is to be at a place of inner peace, divinity and love.

Personally, I would refuse to get into any discussion about my choice of religious values I hold. And if someone I loved challenged me, I would just say, well, I pray for you and K.I.M... Besides, I don't have to defend God, He can do that well enough alone... Be mindful...

And to answer that question, am I a hypocrite. I try not to be. But I have had my moments.

cheerfulgreek · #7 08-03-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moe.ron

Oui

A hypocrite here, and not a shame to say it. It's fun!!!!

And what's that supposed to mean!!!?

SWTXBelle · #8 08-03-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

We use judgment as a device to protect ourselves from what we feel harms us or what we fear... It is one of the most ancient of instincts we use.

The thing about hypocrisy is that when one develops policy against a group of people based against the doctrines taught by that group. IMO, hypocrisy also includes deception and lies to fit anyone's perspective.

To respond to judgment and alleviate hypocrisy is to be at a place of inner peace, divinity and love.

Personally, I would refuse to get into any discussion about my choice of religious values I hold. And if someone I loved challenged me, I would just say, well, I pray for you and K.I.M... Besides, I don't have to defend God, He can do that well enough alone... Be mindful...

And to answer that question, am I a hypocrite. I try not to be. But I have had my moments.

Oh, I am well past the point of trying to defend my beliefs (or certainly God!

) to my sister (who is getting set for marriage number 4 . . .hmmmmmmmm, Coincidence?). At this point, I just don't want to hear it from her. I can repeat her little rant almost verbatim - not only is it rude, it's tiresome at this point. I was letting it go by until she snuck in that little self-congratulatory "At least I'm not a hypocrite" line. That, IMHO, was just a little too over the top.

moe.ron · #9 08-03-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

And what's that supposed to mean!!!?

It means, why denied it? Have fun with it.

AGDee · #10 08-03-2008, 09:58 AM

I don't think that failing to live up to standards that you're trying to attain is being a hypocrite. I think that's being human.

I think it's hypocritical when you JUDGE others harshly by the standards that you've set for yourself but haven't reached.

SWTXBelle · #11 08-03-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

I don't think that failing to live up to standards that you're trying to attain is being a hypocrite. I think that's being human.

I think it's hypocritical when you JUDGE others harshly by the standards that you've set for yourself but haven't reached.

Nicely worded - great point.

DeltAlum · #12 08-03-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

What qualifies someone as a hypocrite in your book?

Being a normal human being.

smiley21 · #13 08-03-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Being a normal human being.

I was going to say the same thing. To err is human...

preciousjeni · #14 08-03-2008, 03:38 PM

There been an uproar recently about the desecration of the Eucharist in Minnesota. What I find troubling is CHRISTIANS who are calling for a religious war and childishly calling out other people (namely, Muslims) for their lack of persecution...yeah, I know.

If I recall correctly, when the body and blood was originally desecrated, He said "forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Where do we get off, now, waging war against the world for our own persecution?

Scandia · #15 08-03-2008, 06:54 PM

EVERYBODY is hypocritical at times. It is a self-defense mechanism. Ditto for lying. So accusing someone of being a liar and a hypocrite in order to make him or her look bad is pointless, since EVERYONE does that at times.

Having a double standard is another story. This may be the true problem that people are discussing regarding organized religions.