Is it better to be an atheist than a hypocrite ?

Pope Francis has delivered another criticism of some members of his own church , suggesting it was better to be an atheist than one of many Catholics who he said lead a hypocritical double life.

In improvised comments in the sermon of his private morning mass in his residence, he said: “It is a scandal to say one thing and do another. That is a double life."

He said some of these people should also say “‘my life is not Christian, I don’t pay my employees proper salaries, I exploit people, I do dirty business, I lead a double life’.”

Less than two months after his election, he said Christians should see atheists as good people if they do good.

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sunrisehawk · 61-69, M

I sometimes wonder why when a person striving to lead a good or moral life errs they are often referred to as a hypocrite? Last time I checked, having morals or seeking to live a life worth emulating, didn't make one perfect. The human condition is one of striving and working to achieve high ideals. Failing is not a hypocritical moment.

A true hypocrite is a person who claims to live a certain way or promotes a specific path and yet lives in a contrary fashion to that.

bijouxbroussard · F

Like a Christian who is unkind or judgmental of others ?

sunrisehawk · 61-69, M

@bijouxbroussard: No more or less than an atheist who is unkind or judgemental of others. Of course the difference is that the Christian professes to believe in a supreme being who teaches being kind to others and the atheist believes there are no guidelines but what they choose to adopt for themselves.

bijouxbroussard · F

@sunrisehawk: [quote]A true hypocrite is a person who claims to live a certain way or promotes a specific path and yet lives in a contrary fashion to that.[/quote]

Arguably, atheists aren't necessarily claiming to live any particular way or promote any specific path.

RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M

A true hypocrite is someone who doesn't practise what they preach (or at least what their religion dictates) , and as far as I can see most religious people are guilty of that.

sunrisehawk · 61-69, M

@bijouxbroussard: That is correct, however, many claim that a failing or mistake is proof of being a hypocrite and my point is that is an incorrect definition. My view is that all of us poor human beings fail to live up to the standards we set or choose to live by, except of course those who seek only to gratify themselves at the expense of others.

EarthlingWise

@sunrisehawk: Mistakes are supposed to be forgiven in the Christian creed, but a hypocrite won't recognise a foul deed , and more particularly a foul habit/way of life, as a mistake, s/he will justify it by calling it something else. For example, exploitation shall become charity and aggression will be called self-defense.