Why do some people lump together all people who say they are Christians?

Question

Why do so many people throw all people who say they are Christians into one lump and then say that because some have been terrible and used religion in a self-serving way (which admitably, a small percentage have) that Christianity must be wrong because of those people.
I would never lump atheists together, look for the terrible ones, like Stalin, and say that because there are some doing really bad things that that is why atheism seems so wrong. So why is this logic used against Christianity and other religions?
Of course there are people who claim to be Christians who aren’t, and use it for evil and greed. There are people in every facet of life who do that. So why do some people judge Christianity based on the actions of a few people who probably aren't even Christians?

Answer 1

I think a lot of them feel a need to justify in their own minds their refusal to accept Christ, so they use pseudo-christian cultists (i.e. klansmen) as their alibi.

Answer 2

I personally judge Christians on a case by case value. Christianity does have a lot of good teachings but personally it is not for me. I believe that if a "Christian" were to follow his own teachings then we would get along great and they could better the world. But, more often than not all a person has to do anymore is say, I'm Wiccan, or I'm Atheist, and they get not only bombarded with hateful phrases but in some cases they even get hurt physically. If you want to truly know why people judge Christianity for these things and not the individuals take a look at the history of your religion. How many have died because they would not convert? Granted, that doesn't happen with Christianity any longer, but you lose trust in someone or something, it takes a prolonged example from the entire religion to set us straight in our opinions.

Answer 3

Christianity is a violent and hateful religion. There are those who, in modern times, are trying to change its message, and make it a philosophy of love, etc.

But those people, although they are wise to attempt to do so, are still following what is basically a death cult, with a bloody and unscrupulous history.

I've mentioned before that the KKK are now attempting this same thing. They are sugaring up their message these days, trying to preach that they want a "brotherhood" of white men, and how they just want peace and love, etc... as long as the other races stay out of their backyards.

They can preach this love and brotherhood message all they like. But that doesn't change the fact that their organization is exclusive, hateful, and deranged... to say nothing of the fact that it was born and bred in blood and misery.

Do you think this comparison is a bit off? Well, it's not. But the memory of what the KKK used to be is still fresh. The really bad atrocities of Christianity were long enough back that people tend to just ignore them these days...


Edit - And Rosso... I'm not using KKK as an alibi. I'm actually doing you a favor and not mentioning that they happen to call themselves Christians. Regardless, Christianity was a cult, and a violent one, regardless of what it has become. It is no different in its origins than any other cult based around prejudice and xenophobia.

Answer 4

I have lived many years and every Christian I've met has acted the same way despite the fact that I've given all of them a fair opportunity and not judged them based on the actions of the previous ones. Regardless, my relationship with Christians was not a predetermining factor in my questioning Christianity. Some of the bad experiences led me to question my religion, but it was my study of the religion that led to separation. Also, I still don't have a problem with Christians. Some have a problem with me. I'm okay with that. I think the planet is big enough for all of us.

Answer 5

Why do some lump all Christians together? Because it's easier than trying to appreciate individuals.

It's far easier to vilify a whole group (blacks, Muslims, communist, pregnant teens, immigrants, etc.) than attempt to understand them. If I'm able to lump a whole group together, as if that's all each of those people are, then I no longer have think about them, and my day just got easier.

A current example might be: Some think the current president of the USA is "inept," thus they no longer have to give credence to anything he has to say.
Or, some think the media has a liberal bias, so they no longer have to listen to anything they have to say.

One way or another it's just an easy way to validate your own beliefs to the point of certainty, making conversation with those who oppose your opinion unnecessary.

Let your spirit soar by freeing your mind.

Answer 6

Probably because they had a point and looked for a way to justify it and that is all that they found. Wiccans had the same thing on here yesterday where someone used a sick supposed "Witness" from a person who identified herself as a Wiccan to discredit all Wiccans---even though it was obvious that the person knew nothing about Wicca or it's practices. So it happens to all religions. The best we can do is to try to stop the spread of hate-filled gossip and promote the truth of our various religions and their practices.

Answer 7

hello:}
it is purely a very ignorant person who thinks they get to judge someone when that person says they are such and such a religion .
i try hard not to even ASK as i am more interested in the person and learning more about what makes them tick ,labels are for dummies really .but all people think when they hear the word spiritualist ,oh my gosh they are one of those weirdos or Muslims ---they believe in false gods .etc etc .
judging is the biggest mistake we make ,i guess people think they are superior if they "BELONG"to a certain group ,but special is how people conduct their lives and they don't need labels or groups to make them feel they are close to God .
they have an inner glow and a nicety about them that shines through call them christian,Muslim,catholic or any other name it is not in one group or organized religion it is within the person .
i get SICK of hearing oh i am a christian or i am a catholic ...
what are you really ???
anyway good question .ignorance is the only real answer though .
best to you
peg:}

Answer 8

I think that people lump all Christians together because of the ones who claim to speak for the entire faith, and the sheer meanness and hatred of these spokespeople.

I've noted that there are folks who talk Christian (and act like those above) and those who actually -act- Christian, and rarely mention their faith or try to convert you.

Guess who is the 'real' Christian?