Why is being Christian or Catholic a bad thing to so many people?

Question

Why is being Christian or Catholic often tied to being Right-Wing?

Answer 1

Because of the stigma that is brought up concerning the captialism and tyranny of "Christian" churches in the past. If we were to apply this to atheists, it would be wrong as well.

The Marxist governments of the former Soviet Union, especially under Lenin, and of Communist China, during the twentieth century oppressed, persecuted, and killed hundreds of millions of people in the name of an explicitly atheistic materialistic philosophy of government. Of course, those governments do not represent all atheists. Nor do governments that kill in the name of Christ represent all Christians.

Answer 2

Christians and Catholics are stereotyped as conservatives due to the strict doctrines that they follow with regards to socializing and behavior.
A lot of Evangelical Christians and Catholics have been known to vote conservatively because of their views on abortion and homosexuality (these topics tend to be on the liberal side).
A lot of times, which has come up recently, the Catholic church will not endorse or withhold communion or "confession" to a Catholic or Christian politician because of their pro-choice stance. Many times a call for disfellowship for either a Catholic or Christian who doesn't take the pro-life stance.

For example Presidential Hopeful Guliani is underfire for being a pro-choice Catholic.

Answer 3

Many basic Christian teachings can be seen to be confining, "old," countercultural, and therefore, conservative. Many Catholic teachings take it a step further and are sometimes seen as even MORE conservative. But since I know plenty of Christians (and specifically, Catholics) who are more left-wing or moderate and vote democrat/liberal, I know the stereotype doesn't always hold.

Turn it around, however, and you will find a good number of conservatives/republicans other "right-wingers" who are some sort of Christian. That might be a better rationale for the stereotype.

Answer 4

Mostly because Christians and Catholics have set standards that conflict with the nation. Being that America (example) is based on Christian values...everyone starts to clash because after all America is the melting pot of cultures. Bush once said "If your not with us, then your are against us". The legal system that relates to being 'morally right' creates chaos...leaving cultural people with a bad taste in their mouth. ALSO, history gives Americans a bad name. Like the whites forcing Indians off their land, and forcing christianity...same for blacks, same for Iraq and democracy...and the list goes on. This all leads to the removal of God and Jesus in statements....because it has been forced in the past...........I cannot speak for a people, just persons who've experienced (including my own)

Answer 5

It's a bad thing because so many people are zealots. These people ruin Christianity for so many people. And then there are the people who just talk, but don't act. These people don't help either. If there were more middle of the road Christians who just acted the way they were, more people would like us. And catholicism is a branch of christianity, by the way...

Answer 6

People typically look at the issues of gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research and ignore issues such as the death penalty, immigration, worker rights, free trade, protection of the environment, and welfare. If you look at ALL of the social issues, you will find that most Catholics are socially more to the left than right.

Following are some of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching:

How we organize our societyin economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.

Answer 7

Wow so many good answers!
It's just proof that there's truely an enemy that is real and he'll get back at us any way he can.
Oh to 'Born to be Wild' BTW we are not forcing Christianity on the Iraqis. We're giving them the chance to have the freedom to be what they want to believe without being tortured for it.

Answer 8

Because Catholics and Protestants, in other words Christians, are not afraid to speak the truth, and those who would prefer to live the lies that secular society offers view the truth as the greatest obstacle in their path.

Answer 9

Because the rightwingers have blind faith.

Heres your History lesson that they can't teach you at school:

The Bible, especially the New Testament, is a fabrication of the Roman Emperors to pacify a rebellious Judea, who subsequently edited the Old Testament ex post facto to prophesize about the Roman invented Jesus myth.

"Men never do evil so complete and cheerfully than when they do it from religious conviction" - Balise Pascal

Answer 10

It is the ignorant fundies that are in the spotlight in regards to Christianity. If Christians desire to regain some respect for their religion they need to step up and let the world know that not all of you are stupid.

There are many wonderful Christians who are intelligent enough to not take the bible literally.