“Christians are hypocrites / caused wars”

The attack on the messengers to discredit the message — here’s why it doesn’t stick.

The common objection:
“Christians are just hypocrites. Look at the Crusades, Inquisition, slavery — religion causes wars and evil. Why follow a faith with such bad results?”

1. Hypocrites exist in every group — it doesn’t disprove the truth

Every movement has fakes: bad doctors don’t disprove medicine, bad teachers don’t disprove education, corrupt politicians don’t disprove government. Hypocrites prove people are sinners — which is exactly what Christianity teaches.

Jesus warned about them constantly: “Beware of false prophets… in sheep’s clothing” (Matt 7:15), and the parable of wheat and tares (Matt 13:24-30) — weeds grow among the wheat until harvest.

2. The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints

People come broken, get treated, and sometimes relapse. If someone abuses the medicine or the hospital, that’s on them — not the Healer.

3. Wars & power grabs use religion as an excuse — not the faith’s fault

Religion is often hijacked for power, land, or revenge — just like politics, money, or nationalism. The Crusades were a defensive response after centuries of Islamic conquests (Jerusalem taken in 638 AD, Constantinople in 1453). The Inquisition and slavery abuses were condemned by many Christians at the time (Wilberforce, Equiano, etc.).

Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) — true Christianity doesn’t conquer with swords. When people do evil in Christ’s name, they’re disobeying Him, not following Him.

4. Real Christianity transforms — look at the fruit

The faith has produced hospitals, universities, abolition of slavery, human rights, charity worldwide — things no other worldview matched historically.

Bad apples don’t disprove the tree. The real question: Does the Gospel change lives? Millions say yes — from addicts to tyrants to everyday people.

Key verses to fire back

Bottom line your kid can say:
“Hypocrites prove people are sinners — exactly what Jesus said. Wars use religion as an excuse for power, but Jesus taught peace and love. The Church is a hospital, not a museum. Judge Christianity by Jesus, not by the worst examples.”