Lent and hypocrisy

Today is Pancake Tuesday (Pancakes! YUM!). Aside from fluffy, syrup drenched (only REAL maple syrup will do), delicious pancakes, what it is marking is the beginning of Lent. And with that, people are making 'sacrifices' or giving something up during the Lent period. So, through the 'magic' of social networking, I've seen a million posts about Lent today; or more specifically, what people are giving up (or sacrificing) for it. Reading these posts and connecting them with WHO is writing them made me think. A LOT.

I am NOT trying to cause a debate about religion - I have my views, and you have yours (and it's neither here nor there what those are), but reflecting on what I've been reading today, and comparing it to past posts from some of these folks, I've concluded that much of what people are sacrificing is pretty superficial and petty, and honestly, I think they're losing sight about what it's all about. I get that giving up soda is a big thing for some people, but when I see past status updates from some of these folks, I shake my head, because honestly, they maybe need to reconsider their sacrifice and think about giving up their hypocritical and judgemental views that they so liberally hand out.

I am the first to admit that I pass judgement on people quite often, but I don't always VOICE that opinion out for the general public to hear or see, nor am I constantly reminding people of my religious convictions; although right now I'm doing just that. I see so many 'Christian' folk liberally toss out judgements - ranging from their disapproval of other peoples 'ways' or 'styles' to their inability to post a grammatically perfect status update to chastising people for not following THEIR opinion on what makes a good Christian (you know, towards people like me, who definitely have their religious beliefs and considers themselves Christian, but don't push church on their children because they happen to have issues with some of the topics/beliefs discussed and the handling of money within the church, therefore are allowing their children to make their own decisions when they're old enough to make an educated/informed decision. PHEW! How was that for a run-on sentence?!). For whatever reason, these people feel that everyone should be just like them. But what makes them right? What is it that makes them so superior in their own minds?

I guess that's the million dollar question; one that we'll never know the answer to. All I can say is that some of these Lent comments rubbed me the wrong way today. I am all for those that have their beliefs and take a stand behind their convictions by participating in giving up something for Lent - for the RIGHT reasons (not because they're publicity whores and want to have something to chew about the for the next few weeks begging for sympahty because they're strugging with the fact that they've given up Diet Coke) . . . and for the most part, most ARE genuine, but man, some of the skewed and warped views/opinions of some so-called "Christians" leaves me scratching my head.

I thought a good Christian was one who was supposed to try to accept people for who they are, to follow the word of God and not commit sins. AND . . . I thought that at the end, God forgives EVERYONE if they ask. If that is so, then why are there so many "Godly" people passing out judgements and criticizing those that aren't conforming to their specific thought patterns?

As a friend said to me today, it's probably a good thing that these people ARE so involved with their church so much - because they likely need God more than any of us; and well; being right there is about as close as you're going to get (aside from when we die).

I need to clarify that I don't pass this as a 'blanket' opinion on all Christians or religious folks; in fact, I happen to believe that most religious folks are genuine, it's just those that are hypocritical and judgemental stand out - WAY out. They probably don't even know that they are as transparent as they are. BUT . . that's my opinion. My space; my thoughts, so don't slay me.