[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by photon

I think you kind of missed the point of his post, it wasn't about singling out Christians because they are Christians, it's about the contrast between acceptance of one thing and rejection of the other. Failing to live up to your own ideals isn't hypocrisy, being hypocritical about it is.

Everyone fails to live up to their own ideals, but not everyone claims to have superior ideals or be the source of all ideals or insist that their superior ideals should be enforced so that it limits the rights and freedoms of others.

Everyone thinks they are right. Some are more sure of their position than others but, we all think we are right. We both live in a time where our rights and freedoms are vanishing at a rapid rate and it isn't Christianity that is behind it.

Originally Posted by photon

So when someone falls short of an ideal, it's normal and everyone gets that. But when someone spends a significant part of their life casting stones at those who fall short (or who have different ideals) is found to actually be living the life they're throwing stones at(link), yes it's hypocritical.

Well I suppose one persons "throwing stones" is another's promoting of their personal ideals or in a Christian's case God's ideals. You will have a hard time finding a professing Christian who claims to live up to God's standards without stumbling or falling now or then. Most will aknowlege their weak flesh readily. It seems more hypocritical to me when Christians knowingly misrepresent or change God's standard to conform to their weaknesses.

Originally Posted by photon

Individuals can be hypocritical, but the point Azure is making I think is that Christianity as an institution is being hypocritical because of their different positions on divorce vs. homosexuality (I always wondered why the church wasn't trying to have divorce laws changed to match scripture).

I think Christians are reacting rather than proacting to the sin of homosexuality. We aren't seeing any divorce pride parades in our communities. Our young children aren't being taught that divorce is natural and good in school. Marriage a Christian rite and in some sects a sacrament is being broadened by the State to include homosexual unions which most Christians see as sinful. Divorce isn't promoted as a positive.

For the record a divorced man couldn't become a pastor in our church.

Originally Posted by photon

It's the other way around, Christians have an advantage because they have the source of all morality providing them supernatural strength and guidance and wisdom.

Or that's the theory anyway.

Walking in the Spirit as opposed to walking by the flesh? Putting on the new man and putting off the old man? Sure Christians have an advantage in that we have a choice but, that doesn't mean we always chose well. We have temptations and as you know sin can provide pleasure for a season. We are born already addicted to sin into a society that is full of opportunities.