The word hypocrite is extremely intriguing.

Its origin comes from Middle English. The roots were derived from the Old French ypocrite, which means “ecclesiastical” and from the Greek hupokrites, or “actor.”

Hypocrite also sounds ridiculous, like a hippo acting the part of a Brit. Being a ridiculous actor is what being a hypocrite is all about, acting the part of something he or she professes to believe but doing the opposite.

And unfortunately, there are many people who readily fit the definition to a T. Now, at Eastern, I have been disappointed in many students and their pretending to do what is right, when in fact it is a wrongful action.

There is a guy I know who professes himself as a non-denominational Christian. He says he loves Jesus and wants others to be saved.

However, he always criticizes my beliefs as a Catholic, saying I will go to Hell for “worshiping in a cult.” The Catholic Church, according to him, butchers the Bible and its members do not follow the Commandments.

I am cool with disagreements about religious beliefs and practices because that is healthy dialogue in a country with free speech and religious rights. But what I can’t stand is contradicting your words through your actions.

This acquaintance is not shy advertising that he has sex with numerous women, or that he smokes pot, among other things. Now I’m not necessarily saying these actions make him a bad person, but his self-righteousness does, in my opinion. If he were so gung-ho about Jesus, why does he repeatedly do what Jesus would not have done? Believers of Jesus know he did not take drugs (killing his body) or sleep around (bad for Christian marriage).

These actions make my acquaintance a normally flawed person, and not morally superior to everyone as he thinks. Besides religious views, others who do not back up their statements have attacked my political views.

I am a non-traditional conservative who identifies with third parties and not the Republican Party. Many students who voice their opinions to me consider themselves liberal.

When there is a disagreement – Sarah Palin’s resigning as Alaskan governor for example – I try to listen to them calmly, reply and consider their points. My conversational partner usually does not act respectful.

He or she would cut off my points, speak in agitated tones and ridicule my position.

Is not one meaning of liberalism to broaden your general knowledge and be open-minded to change, even possibly be flexible with your own viewpoint?

My political viewpoints have been adapted to a point, but I feel my conservative viewpoint is belittled as moronic because it is different from theirs. Obviously, and unfortunately, there are many hypocrites in the real world outside of Eastern, too. There is Tim Donaghy, a former NBA official who was supposed to make games fair, but decided to fix games for money.

And don’t forget jolly ole’ American bankers, working to help people invest money wisely, yet made numerous bad loans for personal gain.

Remember, hypocrites make poor arguments. Try backing up your words with actions and then I’ll listen.

Bob Bajek is a senior journalism major and can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].