christians often answer with "please don't lump us all into the same category" when the question pertains to

Question

christians often answer with "please don't lump us all into the same category" when the question pertains to any negative stereotype about christians/christianity.

i ask these christians, where do you think these stereotypes come from? they come from the masses who think or behave in these negative, stereotypical ways.

instead of getting angry at non christians for their justified stereotypical perceptions of christians/christianity due to the reason mentioned above, wouldn't be a better idea to connect with christians perpetuatting the stereotypes and get them to stop making the religion look bad? or are there just too many of them?

everyone knows that stereotypes aren't always accurate, all i'm saying is why not look into your own religion and try to solve the problems within it so people won't see it so negatively.

Answer 1

Stereotypes always have some level of truth in them, they wouldn't exist if they didn't. But that does not mean they represent the majority or group as a whole. The people with the most far-out, crazy views are usually the most vocal, thats why it seem likes there's more of them. Personally, the generalizing of any group does anger me, I think it is possibly the quickest way to make yourself look ignorant and uneducated. But you're right, the root of the problem is the people who perpetuate the stereotype, and I sometimes feel the need to address them when they say or do something that is out of line.

Answer 2

One of the main problems or issues that Christianity is dealing with is the many factions. What non-Christians have to learn to understand is that not all Christians believe the same thing. Certain denominations believe in Saints, others prefer not to (choosing a relatively uncontroversial topic).

Your question has to do with not just Christians, however, but with every single religion in the world. There will always be a radical few who believe something others don't. Islam is going through that, Christianity, Judiaism, they all have this same problem.

Instead of getting angry with the group as a whole and saying that they have "to stop making the religion look bad," what about looking at the positive aspects? What the majority believe? The majority of Christians believe in loving one another, and peaceful communication. How dare you group a religion into one category and say the "look bad".

And yes, there are too many Christians to get everyone on exactly the same page. Have you never opened a history book? Try reading about the Protestant Reformation or the splitting of the Church during the Roman Empire. There, you could learn that not all Christians believe exactly the same. Orthodox Christians (Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox) are much stricter in their beliefs and how their church is run. Non-denominational Christians are usually a bit more lax than their Catholic or Protestant brethren.

You want to criticize Christians by saying that "masses who think or behave in these negative, stereotypical ways." Have you ever actually been to a Catholic Mass or a Greek Orthodox service? Likely not. However, if you did, you would learn that very little of it is centered on more controversial topics and the "negative aspects" of the Churches, and so much more of it is focused on loving one's neighbors, peace, spiritual reconnection with what you believe. Quite frankly, you're wrong. The "masses" aren't outspoken about what they believe. The "masses" go about their daily lives, believing in what they choose to believe. So please, next time, try and do a little research before you ask such an idiotic question.

Answer 3

Well, as with every generalization and stereotype, a few bad apples rotten the whole bunch. How about this...you look like you are blond...how does it make you feel when people say how stupid blonds are?

If you were talking about a country or race of people and making these generalization, you would be considered so politically incorrect but because you are are saying them about Christians, it is okay.

To be perfectly honest with you, it seems like the "crazies" among us are the ones who make the most noice and say the most inane things...let me assure you they do not represent the masses.

I was assalted by a black student at a school once...does that mean I think all black students are inconsiderate, violent and rude? No. It was just that student at that school. People need to realize the same things about Christians. There are some very good, kind, tenderhearted, loving Christian people out there. Maybe you just need to go somewhere else to find them.

Answer 4

Actually, socially speaking, stereotypes do not come from the majority who are associated with a group, but from the few outspoken ones who gain notoriety. Because a few folks along the way were religious zealots and idiots seeking personal gain of some form (be it fame or glory or wealth) identified themselves with a certain group does not mean that those of a group are all like the one, but they are taken to be the same by those who don't know any different. The same applies to ANY stereotype (blonds, racial groups, religious groups, technical groups, whatever). Stereotypes cannot be stopped except by the people who constantly stereotype people, and that would be you. Stereotypes are the invention of the individual, not a group. You thing religious stereotypes are bad, stop thinking stereotypically.

Answer 5

What do you mean by "get them to stop making religion look bad"? Kill them? Burn their churchs? Brand them as heretics? Beat them up? This is the United States not a totalitarian dictatorship,and we are talking Christianity as it is today,not the way it might have been 500 or a thousand years ago,or the way Islam is still capable of violence between differing sects. It is not the obligation of the mainstream of Christianity - Catholics for the most part,but also Episcopalians,Presbyterians,Lutherans and even Unitarians - to keep reminding the ( purportedly ) well-educated atheist that Christianity is highly diverse; it is their obligation to specify to whom they are speaking,meaning what denomination,when they address a question to Christians. Since almost all the atheist questions/comments apparently reference fundamentalists,is it asking too much for atheists to say "fundamentalist" or "fundamentalist Christian" if that is who they are addressing their question to? I don't see them posting questions that would obviously apply only to Orthodox Jews and tagging it with some tone of address like "Jews! Why do you think..." - which would be bad enough,what to speak of the fact that in that event the question would probably not even apply to most practicing Jews - Conservative,Reform,etc. Surely this is a modest expectation and obviously more realistic than suggesting we change American law so mainstream Christians could somehow suppress fundamentalists. I wouldn't if I could; it's a free country,and they can say whatever they want to. I wouldn't have it otherwise. What is needed is for atheists,supposedly an intellectual breed,to display that fine education and brainpower they all claim to have. Fundamentalists aren't exactly a lunatic fringe any more than Orthodox Jews - but they are similarly far from the mainstream. Is that so difficult to comprehend and recognize? As to your suggestion that we obtain the means to "get them to stop" - you can send that one to China.

Answer 6

The problem with you assumption is that the major of Christians do NOT act in those sterotype ways. Most are nice, honest, friendly people who live quiet, good, moral lives and raise their families to be decent and caring people.

Those who list such negative sterotypes are usually basing it on one or two people they have meet who have acted negatively, and caused their actions to reflect badly on thousands of decent, moral people.

So when we state the "not all Christians are like that", we probably should be stated it more accurately. "The vast majority of Christians" are not like the negative stereotypes you list.

You rpobably need to actually get around some Christians in a good church and learn a little about who were really are and what we believe. It will open your eyes, mind and heart.

Answer 7

There are just too many of them.
The majority of people calling themselves 'Christian' haven't got the foggiest idea what being a christian constitutes.
Jesus indicated this would happen:
"Broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it. Matthew 7:13,14
To find real, genuine christians, it seems necessary to look for a smaller group ....not the large established religions.

Answer 8

Are you actually justifying stereotyping people and treating some people bad for what others have done?

Are you going to justify racism as well? Because you know there ARE some Hispanics that are "so and so"..so that makes it justifiable for people to stereotype and be racist.

Since a stereotype comes from somewhere, should people be responsible for what others do, just because they share the same religion, race etc??

Answer 9

Stereotypes are not always accurate. I can name a giant lists of stereotypes pertaining to black people, that I just dont fit into. So, just because someone is a christian doesn't mean that automatically fit into the preconcieved notion you have of christians. Don't be so closedminded. And yes christians should hold other christians acountable for what they do.

Answer 10

i grew to become into raised till i grew to become into 10 years previous in a all white small southern city,then my mothers and dads moved us to the city have been we lived in a generally (basically 3 white families) black community so i do no longer understand approximately all of us yet i actually in no way "lump" everybody into anybody team! i'm open minded adequate that folk,actually all of us no remember their epidermis shade can come from everywhere.it sort of feels to me the folk who try this are very close-minded and are not worth it sluggish!!!!And thus far as no person asking white human beings issues that don't pertain to us have self belief me we get asked some extremely tousled stuff to,human beings think of in basic terms because of fact I come from a small southern city i'm in basic terms dim-witted and or inbred and that may not actual in any respect!!!!