I believe that an Athiest cannot be a hypocrite and that’s a bad thing

No one likes a hypocrite. No one likes someone who is all talk and no bite. Someone who wants all of the credit but puts in zero effort. Someone who loves to critique others but hate being critiqued. Someone who comes off as a saint and acts like a devil. Jesus’s harshest critiques were not about the Pharisees, but about hypocrites.

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:6

A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does the opposite; especially in moral matters. Even Saint James warned us about our tongues, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6) What we say matters and what we do matters even more. So often, we know what ought to be done, but we do not do it out of our own weakness or maliciousness.

It is all too easy to be a hypocrite. The gym coach who no longer exercises. The doctor who gives out medical advice and does not follow it themselves. The peace negotiator who wants war. Anyone who wants to proclaim a message or give advice is vulnerable to becoming a hypocrite. Therefore, those who takes position of moral authority tend to be the biggest hypocrites of all.

I teach a religion class to middle schoolers. Every day, I feel like a hypocrite as I talk about how to worship and adore God and I don’t do nearly as much as I should be doing. I am thankful for those moments, because they offer motivation to improve on myself. Saint Paul speaks of a similar experience in his letter to Timothy, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

The greatest heart break is to see moral leaders be exposed as sinners. Dark Knight batman touches on this, “you either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.” There is even a saying that goes, “Never meet your heroes.” Because the reality is almost always lackluster compared to the legend. There is always a poisonous distrust of someone who has fallen from grace.

America seems prone to despise hypocrites more so than actual crooks. It was almost comedic to see people claim that Trump was a bully and liar, and his response was akin to, “I am and it gets the job done.” People almost prefer to see the dirty side of humans, because they want to avoid disappointment of yet not another hero failing to be a hero. I think of the times those who are homeless peddling for money with signs that says, “it’s for drugs” are met with a laugh where as those homeless who are desperate for assistance get scorned by strangers for lying.

The biggest hypocrites of all can be found in the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout Church history, both recent and ancient, the Catholic Church has produced the greatest of Saints and the vilest of hypocrites. The all too recent priest scandals have showcased how, despite formation and profession of vows, we are all vulnerable to sin.

The pedophile priest is now a common troupe and is used often by those willing to make fun of the church. Of course, pedophilia is not only found in the Catholic Church, but that’s a terrible argument and does not excused the gravity of the sin. But it is worth pointing out that pedophilia found in the church is a scandal that is talk about for years if not decades, but pedophilia found elsewhere is a news story quickly forgotten. The reason is that the Roman Catholic Church proclaims the Way, the Truth, and the Life and if her priests do not follow it then why should anyone? Not to mention a corrupt priest is similar to a poison well. A priest should be a source of consolation and hope not fear and abuse.

Now I must talk of the namesake for this article. Why are atheist not hypocrites? Because they never profess a morality to follow. There is no creed or belief that must be followed. Therefore, there is no chance to break their fidelity to any such creeds. An atheist could be accused of crimes, sins, or simple jerk behavior. Yet, never could they be accused of hypocrisy. As long as they never claim certain actions are wrong then they can be guilted for doing said actions.

The atheist can indeed claim a moral superiority but it is a hollow victory. They claim to never break promises, because they never make any. They claim to live lives of integrity, because they never set themselves up for failure. Original Sin makes following the Gospel arduous and difficult. We will fail, but our failure never negates the goodness and beauty that can only be found in the Catholic Church.

Atheists may not be hypocrites, but that is not a reason to avoid Catholicism or even Theism. The atheist is similar to the man given one talent and chooses to bury it. For the man was afraid to disappoint the master of the harvest. Jesus said that this person was a, “wicked, lazy servant!” (Matthew 25:26) That Atheist claim that they don’t harm anyone and try not to be a jerk. Such a low bar compared to Jesus’s commandments to “Love your enemy” and “treat others as yourself.”

Every mass when we say the Confiteor we say, “I am sorry for my thoughts, my words, what I have done, and WHAT I HAVE FAILED TO DO.” The cause of hypocrisy is failing to do what we ought to do. The Catholic Church lays down its teachings and dogmas and disciplines in order to guide us to heaven. The same knowledge that grants us a narrow pathway to heaven, should we obey God inspired by the Holy Spirit, is also what condemns us to hell for those who choose to reject her teachings.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Hebrews 6:4-7

Then what is harder: working out our salvation with fear and trembling? Or burying all hope of being a good and righteous person? Yes, the Catholic Church is filled with hypocrites, but we have room for more! On the other hand, Atheists are not hypocrites, but rarely would you find an atheist that provides a role model on how to live life based on atheistic principles alone. To the Atheists in the world, it is possible to live a good and holy life. It requires patience, prayer, and above all else humble obedience to God’s Will. But it exists. There is an objective truth that guides us all to a life of charity and good will. Be not afraid of failure. Be afraid of never truly living a life of Goodness.