Christians, what are some stereotypes about your faith?

Question

This question is for Christians. What are some stereotypes and misimpressions that people have about your religion? Do you feel that members of your religion contribute to these negative stereotypes in any way?

Sincere answers only, no Christian-bashing. I am trying to get past my own negative stereotypes and prejudices, and I will be asking a series of questions like this. Some of them may sound silly. These are sincere questions, not intended to offend, but to help me get past my own stumbling-blocks. I'm not looking to convert, just to understand.

Answer 1

1) We are all evangelicals or born-agains

2) We all love Bush and are Republican

3) We try to convert others and think other religions are going to hell (I never thought and dislike the Christians who do this)

4) We speak in tongues (only a certain denomination does that) and we are prudes

5) We don't have a sense of humour or can't take jokes about Christianity

Answer 2

One stereotype that really annoys me is that preachers are greedy, and that they use scare tactics to get people to give. The truth is that most preachers make far less than the average person. Most of the money that my church takes in does not go to the pastor. It goes to supporting the physical needs of running the church (electricity, water, seating, etc.), some goes to missionaries that we support, and some goes to needy families in our area. When I was in college, my wife and I had our first child, since I was going to classes full time, I was not working full time, so the church helped pay some of the medical bills that we had.

There are some preachers, usually TV preachers who contribute to this stereotype.

Another stereotype is that Christians hate gays. There are some Christians who protest and hold up signs that say "God HATES Gays!", but I don't think that most Christians believe this. Most Christians do believe that homosexual acts are wrong, but there are lots of other things that are wrong (such as lying) that Christians are guilty of doing. What allows us to go to heaven is Christ's sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins, not because we are "better" than anyone. Anyone can repent and accept Christ's gift to go to heaven.

Which brings me to another stereotype; people think that Christianity excludes other people. Well, truth by definition is exclusive. If you think that 1+1=2 and I think that 1+1=5, we are both free to believe what we want to, but according to truth, only one of us will be right. To me, the fact that anyone can become a Christian makes Christianity a very inclusive religion.

The idea that all Christians are dumb and just blindly accept their faith is another stereotype. I went to a secular college and studied secular philosophies. I have had serious doubts about my faith and have searched for truth in other religions and philosophies, but I believe that Christianity is the most reasonable thing to be true. C.S. Lewis, one of the most famous Christian apologists, was an Atheist until he was 31. Lewis attended Oxford, and was a fellow there for about 30 years; he was obviously an intelligent person and he became a Christian.

Sadly, more and more Christians contribute to this stereotype. Many Christians do not study their Bible and do not even fully understand the theological foundations on which their faith is built. Without this knowledge, they cannot compare Christianity to other beliefs and explain why they believe Christianity is correct.

Answer 3

One stereotype is that you are not a real Christian unless you go to some big church. UGH!

Jesus worshipped God in homes. There is a group of people all over the world today that worship in homes. (Not J.W.'s)

Another stereotype is that its all about money. For a majority of the Christian churches out there, it is all about money.

Jesus made it clear, "freely you have received, freely you shall give." Paying a minister to preach the word of God is as wrong as it gets. There are ministers who do not get paid but are support by living amongst the people within their faith, and for the few needs they have, are given alms in secret. Hence the reference in the bible about the left hand not knowing what the right hand does.

Another stereotype which I hate is those who boast about how Christian they are. The thing is, if they didn't tell everyone they can shout it to, no one would know they are Christians...which means they really are not Christians. These are the type of people who are quick to tell you how many people go to their church, how much money they have collected for a specific event or cause, what entertainment they are having to bring the young people into their church, etc. In other words, prideful, boasting, etc. Not very Christ like is it?

Jesus was the first to live a life that spoke for him. That old expression, "actions speak louder than words", is a great example of how a real Christian should live. Having a meek and quiet spirit is of God. I guess in those churches that are so boastful, they are not familiar with the spirit of God.

Hope these answers are helpful to you. Never forget that prayer is a mighty source of power and if you are truly honest in your heart in wanting to do God's will and work, He will lead you to those who are following according to Jesus teachings.

Answer 4

The worst, absolute worst stereotype is that Christians are all like the Tammy Faye Baker, Oral Roberts or Paul and Jan Crouch variety. This is far from the truth...

Another stereotype is that Christians go around telling everyone they are going to hell. If indeed a so-called christian tells another person that then they themselves don't understand the Bible.

Also and this is the one that gets applied the most...they common belief that all christians think they are perfect. Not.

Another is that we all hate homosexuals, black people, single mothers and children born out of wedlock. Not so..and if a "so-called christian behaves in such a manner toward any of the above...then they are christian in name only.

Christ taught that we should love one another...Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 5

The one that amuses me the most is that if you believe in God, somehow you are "brainwashed" or "indoctrinated", neither of which holds true at all for the simple fact that I am the living counter-example to that baseless assumption. I grew up in an extremely godless home where members of my family dabbled in witchcraft, mom was a member of the Rosicrucian Order as well as Order of the Eastern Star: and dad was a 7th Degree Knights Templar-secret society stuff. I knew who Baphomet was before I knew who Christ was. Seventeen years ago, I completed an Associate degree in Education, and now I'm back at it (albeit very slowly-I'm a recovering alcoholic and prescription sedative addict), and my new major,Speech Communications, has opened up to me the wonderful world of debate (at which I excelled several semesters back, and destroyed many opponent's arguments along the way-God, I love that challenge!!!). So, according to atheists I'm somehow not a "thinker" when it comes to dealing with complex thought and critical thinking. I've got to tell you-I work hard at being so stupid. I just hope that after I get my BA degree law school won't be so tough on me. But, I must commend you and give credit where credit is due: you are one of the few who, by your unbiased and insightful question, are certainly helping me to understand what it means to be open-minded, something that I'm having a real tough time at convincing myself to look into. Thank-you for your honesty and your help.

Answer 6

My goodness, where to begin.

Many common stereotypes about Christians have already been mentioned here. There are also complete subsets of misconceptions applied only to certain denominations or sects -- Catholics, JWs, LDS, and that hard-to-define group widely disparaged as "fundies".

The problem with almost all stereotypes applied to Christians is that for every one of them, unfortunately there can be found someone who bears it out in their actions.

The majority of us are not judgmental, for example, but many have no qualms about pointing fingers and preaching damnation, and indeed feel justified in doing so.

Most of us are independent thinkers, and many are quite well-educated; but all it takes is one small group who follow an off-the-wall preacher unquestioningly to provide ample fodder for those who want to perpetuate the myth that we're mindless sheep.

Quite a few Christians "walk their talk" by reaching out to those in need, giving sacrificially, and showing kindness to all. But one encounter with a Christian who is selfish, shallow, and unkind is all it takes to turn at least one person and perhaps others away from the faith.

Much of the stereotyping is unfair and motivated by contempt for authority of any sort, and these perpetual myths will always be with us to a degree. But there is also a huge responsibility among Christians to remember at all times that to whom much is given, much is required ... and that includes the fact that each of us may be the only Gospel someone hears or sees.

Answer 7

A common stereotype that bothers me is that we are all uneducated and stupid. I have a BSED in English with a philosophy minor and an MA in literature. I think there are some Christians that further this stereotype because they won't listen to or respect other viewpoints. The other one I don't like is that we are all brainwashed. The church I grew up in and still attend (Episcopal) encouraged us to think and question. However, I realize there are a lot of churches that don't encourage that at all.

Answer 8

Many here say we are sheeple. I know some Christians who would say, the Bible says it, I believe it, that ends it. How shortsighted. I like to ask God why. I like to look around me and ask why.

Some people say Christians are judgemental. Sadly, that is true in some cases but I think it is more of a human condition than a Christian condition. I've seen many atheists here that are very judgemental. Christians and everyone else would do well to try and get along which is the second greatest commandment, to love one another as we love ourselves.

Answer 9

That we push religion down everyone's throat

Sadly I do feel that there alot of Christians that only help out this stereotype, I am so glad though that i can go to a church and be free to grow within the church and to not be pushed.

In fact if you are trying to learn more about this religion go ahead and visit this webpage and look throuh the youth section. We are a pentecostal or some say non-denominational church

http://generationsurge.com/new.html

Im so glad you are willing to learn about us and i hope that you see we are not all the same,

Answer 10

You sound like a existence like guy or woman. inspite of the shown fact that, in case you inspect feedback approximately gay human beings, here and someplace else, you will see that maximum the dislike comes from people who label themselves "Christian". I hear it each and all the time - each and every physique is consistently giving Bible costs approximately how plenty you will possibly desire to hate gays. in case you call your self a Christian, it is your accountability to handle those people who're wrecking your sturdy call! And with the aid of that, i do no longer recommend complaining to persons who've observed that plenty gay hate comes from "Christians". I recommend take some steps to close those looney-toons down. Fifty years in the past, being a Christian meant being type and tolerant, and by no potential announcing a undesirable word approximately all and sundry. Now the "Christians" who get each and all the clicking are those like the Westboro Baptist Church. Why have no different Baptists sued them for use of the call? Why do Christians submit with this? Jesus does no longer have!