As i mentioned before, i'm currently reading unChristian. Chapter 3 is about being seen as hypocritical - and 4 problems with that:1. Plastering over our own faults and flaws reinforces the 'image-is-everything' view of the world.
2. For all the trumpetting of a moral lifestyle, as a group we don't measure up. Gambling, porn, stealing, fighting, drunkeness, drugs and lying were about the same in christians and not christians. Christians were slightly less likely to swear in public or to buy a lottery ticket - but also less likely to recycle. Overall, we're in no position to point the finger.
3. Telling others what they should and shouldn't do serves to perpetuate the 'rules and regulations' view of religion. This endless striving to measure up to God's standards is exactly what Jesus releases us from.
4. A comdemning attitude prevents us from actually being of help. Probably best summed up in Matthew 23:4 (talking about pharisees) "They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden"
So what is the alternative? Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.
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