carol_au wrote:hehe, that's a good try devil's advocate, but look at it another way.
I am a christian, so hypocrisy for me is saying I believe in God and what He has taught me, yet act and live as if I am not a believer at all.
Hypocrisy for someone who is not a believer in God is still hypocrisy. It's saying you believe or live by a set of values, and yet your life style and your words betray what is really in your heart.
Hypocrisy is not just an accusation to be pointed at Christians. Anyone can be a hypocrite and all must live with the consequences of their own personal "hypocrisy". It's interesting, the Bible speaks of us all being judged by our own understanding of truth.. Romans 2:21-22 says it so plainly " You who preach against stealing, do you steal? you who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?" Earlier, Paul says that man shall be judged by their knowledge of the law in their own culture (Romans 2:14-16)
And here again is another answer to youngones question about hypocrisy.. in Romans 2:1 Paul says "you therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same thing".
Calling someone a hypocrite, whether Christian or not, leaves a lot to be answered for personally. It's worth thinking about by us all I think.
wow thanks carol well thats something new i never knew. i hope this helps me in my religios debate but i doubt.......