Both Sides of the Issue

In relation to the previous topic about outsiders leaving conservative Christian churches, I think there are a number of factors involved. Both the outsider and the resident conservative church goers have responsibilities. The outsider has a responsibility to foster a meaningful and true relationship with God that should help him to see the truth of Christianity no matter what other Christians do, no matter how hypocritical, unfriendly, and un-Christlike they are. He should keep a level head and act wisely & with God-given reason - not making reactive or feeling-based decisions.
On the other hand, Christians do have responsibilities to their fellow Christian brothers, maybe especially to those who are new to the church or the faith in general. We are to abstain from activities that could cause them to fall spiritually. We are to exhort, encourage, and admonish the brethren. We are to be truly Christian with truly Christian outlooks on life and people (outlooks entirely based on love of God and love for our fellow men). If "Christians" act no differently than non-Christians, where will people see the power God has to change lives? What evidence will there be that Christians really are different inside as opposed to just following a set of rules? The way we live our lives can be a very real encouragement/discouragement to others. We should not provide any material excuse for those who decide to turn back to their old ways.