Originally Posted by W.J. Wilczek

Evangelical Christians represent the glorification of form over substance. They profess true faith, but fall far short in its practice. They give you words - airy nothings - when deeds, not words, are needed. They are not true Christians, and they make a mockery of Christ's teachings. They are the bane of goodness, and would pray their way to heaven on credit than pay with good works. They are pious frauds. Theirs is a particularly obnoxious form of hypocrisy that pretends to scruples while abusing them without shame. I am reminded of a sermon of Laurence Sterne, who described it thus:

“There have been no sects in the christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture, misinterpreted or misapplied.

“We had a melancholy instance of this in our own country, in the last century, - when the church of Christ, as well as the government, during that period of national confusion, was torn asunder into various sects and factions; - when some men pretended to have Scripture precepts, parables, or prophecies to plead, in favor of the most impious absurdities that falsehood could advance. The same spirit which prevailed amongst the fanaticks, seems to have gone forth among these modern enthusiasts. - Faith, the distinguishing characteristic of a christian, is defined by them not as a rational assent of the understanding, to truths which are established by indisputable authority, but as a violent persuasion of mind, that they are instantaneously become the children of God - that the whole score of their sins is for ever blotted out, without the payment of one tear of repentance. - Pleasing doctrine this to the fears and passions of mankind! - promising fair to gain proselytes of the vicious and impenitent.”

- Laurence Sterne, “On Enthusiasm,” Sermons of the late Rev. Sterne, V-VII, Sermon 11 (1769)