Why have Christians got such a bad image?

Question

Christianity should be good news! For people who follow it but also for everyone who comes into contact with them. Where did it all go wrong?
No one disputes the perfect morality of the core Christian ethics. So why is it, when i think of a Christian, i think of someone arrogant, rude, ignorant, irritating, socially inept, etc.?

(Dont give me biased answers that are arrogant, rude, inept etc. I really do want to know why you think something with such beauty could have been twisted into something so ugly. Where did it go wrong, and how can it be put right?)

Celebrity girl, religion is not stronger than ever. The church is in decline in my country, no question about it. That's why it's an important question.

And to stop telling others bout God would totally undermine Christianity. When something's this good, you have to tell others about it.

Answer 1

I guess because people like you hate it for the sake of hating it and enjoy baiting others with loaded questions.

When you think of rude , ignorant,arrogant, etc., do you also think of people like Sir Issac Newton and Harriet Tubman? Or perhaps the Priest who founded Covenant House? Or perhaps the Christians who started the Salvation Army?

Maybe you're just a bigot.

Answer 2

There are more than 30000 religions and faiths, and there should only be the one original.
Many people like to hear 'good news' words, but when they find out that the words have to be put into deeds, they lose interest.
many people also understand Godliness in general in the physical way, although the bible states clearly that it is a spritual matter , in many places.
That is why there are so many different interpretations, misunderstanding and arguments.
Many organisations have money as the main focus.
These might be some of the reasons why you feel the way you do about christianity, i guess.

Answer 3

The apostles foretold that it would happen, that the true faith would be corrupted.

Some of the scriptural evidence: Acts 20:17, 29, 30; 2 Peter 2:1, 3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3,4; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4

Answer 4

1. There is a lot of good work being done in the name of Christ in developing countries, and even in inner cities in developed countries by Churches, NGO and other Christian Organizations to help the poor and suffering people.
2. The Christian concept of good versus evil, is naturally bound to lead to conflict with others that don't see it that way. The multitudes gladly followed Jesus, but there were also people that hated him.
3. The secular western media by and large is not exactly pro-Christian.

Answer 5

Christians have a bad image from their history of invading into the territory of others, destroying their cultural practices that they don't agree with and enforcing their ways onto others. Also... Brimstone and Fire don't gel well with most people, and many of the more discipline christians tend to criticise others first by pointing out other's faults of ..say... extra marital sex, or being gay or dressing provocatively, but fail to see or realise that others see, they TOO have a log in their own eye.And most of all, All it takes is ONE not so pleasant but very public figure to "represent" a group, any Good Works done by the majority is down the drain.

American President, Mr Bush claims that he is doing God's work... in saying that he puts himself into a position when he is a representative of God. He has done some good, but in general he has caused a lot of pain, destruction and agony to millions... in his doing God's work.

Ever wonder why people remember Bush's activities MORE that people remember the Late Mother Teresa's earth shaking deeds? Or the 1000s of Good Hearted Christian Americans working their behinds off helping Katrina victims.

Answer 6

Your question has validity and I will offer what answer I can. The truth is, Christianity has been hijacked the way Islam has, by those who use it for their own goals. Christians have in the last few years tried to harm even advocate violence against people who they see as either less than them or evil. They have used scripture as a weapon and not as a guide, they have violated Gods' own law in regards to treating others as you would have them treat you.

For over 1500 years, Christianity has slowly degraded itself to the point of becoming just another cult. Which is sad really because, as you say the core message is supposed to be love and tolerance. But after years of hypocrisy, violence in the name of God, lies and just plain mean spirited attacks, the only way to put it is a quote from the book they claim they follow:

As you sow, so shall you reap.

Answer 7

look up the Crusdes. The Crusades were campaigns in the Middle East during the Middle Ages for economic and political reasons. From what I understand, France or England wanted to take over the booming trade in Middle East. They used the Christian religion to justify their cause. Also, watch Kingdom of Heaven with Orlando Bloom. It's somewhat accurate to what happened during the Crusades.
Also, during Slavery, Christians (or people who called themselves Christians) used religion to enslave thousands of Africans, because they believed that anyone who didn't believed in Christianity was beneath them.
Again, during the witchcraft hunt of the 1800s, Christians persecuted and executed hundreds of individuals who they thought worshipped the devil.
Hope that makes you feel better about your religion.

Answer 8

im a christian and im really not like that. im not really arrogant, cuz i know that im just a stupid 15 year old boy. jesus in my life or not, im a stupid boy.

i am rude, but im really trying to work on that. and i would be much more rude without god.

ignorant...well, usually i stay out of conversations i know nothing about so that i dont sound like in idiot if i say something...well, ignorant.

i am kinda irritating, but thats just my personality. i dont shove my beliefs down peoples throats, and because i know how uncomfotable it makes them, and how little it will help them, i usually dont bring up religion at all.

im not socially inept. i can make friends anywhere. i have black friends (black people are the coolest. i wish i was black sometimes XD), white friends, chistian friends, athiest friends, mormon friends, bum friends, successful friends, serious friends, goofy friends, smart friends, and one friend whos just plain stupid...

Answer 9

Because your Christain leaders - Falwell, George Bush, people like that have got you people thinking you're perfect and there is no other religion on the planet. And they've convinced you people to take a snotty, I'm-better-than-you attitude in everything you do.

As a result, the rest of us think that you people (Christians) are a bunch of self-righteous morons.

Answer 10

I'm a christian . I believe why people who aren't not a Christian give us bad image is because there are some Chirstians who are just there for showy. they feel that works will get them closer to God , but if your a true Chistian you'd know that wasn't the only thing.
you got evanglist out there who over do it claim they were giving the power to heal but there only a tool to God's work . and some who aren't but think they know it all.
too becuase as a Christian we are taught to live in a Godly manor . respect our bodies and ourselves. and to respect him
so it's all a matter of who to believe the world or God's word.