by Paul Schingle

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 27, 2009

In the end, it would probably be safe to say that all of humankind can be hypocritical at one time or another. My assumption with the title of this article is to ask who are the hypocrites on a regular basis. My best guess as to the answer to this question is, the more you preach (and it doesn't matter the religion), the more likely it is you are going to act in such a way as to be labeled hypocrite. Hypocrite is defined (American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd College Edition) as, "...a person given to the practice of professing beliefs, feelings or virtues that one does not hold or possess; a person given to insincerity." In other words, a hypocrite is a person who says one thing, but does another. As stated before, we are all guilty of this once in a while. The worst hypocrite is the one who does so continuously.

Having been brought up in the Christian tradition, I will address this issue with Christianity as the example. This is not to say that it isn't true of other religions. You can parallel a person from any religion with my examples from Christianity. For example, when I get to the biggest representatives of hypocrisy in Christianity (televangelists), if you prefer, you can substitute Louis Farrakhan for Jimmy Swaggert.

Any Christian who maintains a very personal relationship with his/her God and tries to behave as Christ would approve, would likely be among the least hypocritical of the Christians. (S)he has a set of beliefs and tries to live by them. As soon as this person steps out onto a street corner and begins preaching, the chance for hypocrisy increases. It's one thing to say that Christ is the way to heaven. It's quite another to say that those who don't believe as you do will burn in hell forever. After all, it was Christ who said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Go ahead and have your beliefs, but as soon as you judge others on theirs, you've become a hypocrite.

Next, up the chain, would be actual ministers in the pulpit. Not every minister, preacher and priest is a hypocrite, necessarily. But, let's face it. The Catholic church is taking quite a beating, and deservedly so, with its seemingly high numbers of pedophiles taking preaching positions. The hypocrisy here is so obvious, it doesn't bear mention. On many occasions, Jesus was heard to say how blessed and important the children were in God's eyes. It isn't just the Catholics either. Anyone who makes it as a "minister" regardless of faith, takes on a greater likelihood of becoming a hypocrite.

Finally, we have the televangelists. Where do I start? Jimmy Swaggert and the prostitute. Oral Roberts and his extortion of money from his flock (lest he perish soon, at the hand of God). These are the glowing examples of televised hypocrisy. It happens on an everyday basis. Jesus told us that it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to enter into heaven. How do Oral Roberts, et al intend to explain themselves when the time is right? They're not the only hypocrites-just the most obvious ones.

In determining who the hypocrite is, it is almost directly proportional to the amount of belief one professes. The louder one claims to be a messenger from God, the less likely it is to be true-and the more likely this 'messenger" is to be a hypocrite.

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