How do one small portion of Christians cause the rest of us to be stereotyped?

Question

What I mean is, I would like to know why many (not all, MANY) non-Christians have the stereotype that all Christians are radicals or Evangelicals?

For one example, I was on a mission trip to Seattle with my youth group, and there was a bus painted with all this radical Christian stuff, saying---not in so many words, but basically---that we're all evil and we have to repent right now this very instant or else we'll burn in hell for all eternity. And I heard people walk by and say, "Oh, great, some religious crap." Implying that all religion was like that.

Not all Christians are like that! My friends and I are just frustrated, that Christians are stereotyped like we are!

I really hope I make sense.

Watch this video made by a youth group, it's a satirical look at what some people think Jesus is like. Thank goodness He's not.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DDSj8sv0uKs

Comments please. I know I sound hyped up, I'm just frustrated.

Answer 1

It is unfortunate, but true, that the radical minority is what creates the impression in the public mind of the majority. Most Christians I know are just fine, but there are some, like many - not all - that haunt these boards, that bias first impressions of any.



ADDENDUM



Several of the posters above qualify as part of the radical minority. Sigh!

Answer 2

Fundamentalists give any religion a bad name.



Personally, I have a problem with the kind of Christians who self-righteously think that they are right, everyone else is wrong and they can't wait to see us burn on judgment day. Christians who are thoughtful and not vengeful are OK with me. You don't really sound like the first type.



I really don't think all Christians are so bent on destruction. I don't think Christianity is intrinsically a bad thing. There are, unfortunately so many out there giving it all a bad name. Honestly, I've been much more able to respect Christianity through the more peaceful and thoughtful Christians I've encountered in my life. I've learned much more about the principles of Christianity through them.



I can also understand the resentment against "religion". I've had a lifetime of having a particular religious path crammed down my throat. It can make one defensive after awhile. I think it is a product of a distrust of religion as a result of religion being imposed by fear and social pressure. I know not all Christians are one way or another, there are just so many making me skeptical.

Answer 3

I can see where you are coming from, and I'm Agnostic. I may belive something that is completely different from you, but I don't look down upon your views, as I would hope you would do the same for me. I think a lot of the time, people do stereotype(which isn't good)because they don't know enough. Once again, the problem is ignorance. People will make accusations about something without the proper support for the idea or opinion. It definetely would help if more people took a few extra minutes to research some things a bit more. I do, and it helps. Yes, i have my views on things, but i'm never going to try to prove someone's opinion wrong. I'm here to make a difference, so who really cares if we're right or wrong? Cheers! And I hope that I made enough sense.

Answer 4

Negative and disturbing actions tend to be the thing that many people gravitate to. Look at sports. The most pain inflicted, horrendous accidents, people being carried off the fields is what provides the draw to most popular sports. Look at those type of sports against calm sports like, Golf... tennis... If it was legal for anyone to fed someone else to the lions, the three major religions would do it. Just think of all the abortions doctors, Witches and Gays that could become this evening's draw to the "Lions Versus The Others."



Sorry but I can only demand change of my religious members and not yours. If yours does something stupid, then you need to deal with it if it bothers you! The "fundies" say stupid things like, the Purple Teletubby is Gay or all the fire that destroyed more Christian land than Gay owned land in Florida was Gods wrath against the adoption of the Gay flag in Orlando, are stupid statements made by people you want leading your religious lives... so why do you think that non-Christians can get rid of them for you???



Your people made the mess and your people need to clean it up. And while your at it could you please ask them to clean up the neighborhoods around their churches! Remember, not all of us are going to leave on your transporter from God, so how about leaving the place clean before you go.

Answer 5

You can thank the media for that. Fundies have been regarded as "good copy" since the days of Aimee Semple MacPherson,back in the 1920's. And - also within the media - both atheists and jews like to give them a big play because they can serve to bring Christianity into disrepute. It's not so hard for a Catholic,since we are active on issues like the death penalty and hence well known,but it can be very difficult for a mainstream Protestant - particularly Lutherans. As for R&S atheists,they've been provided with statistics often enough to know better. There it's just a matter of exploiting fundie theology as an easy target,which it is. The gimmick there is addressing fundies as "Christians" as though they were the central body,when in fact they are a fringe element - by any standard. But carry on. It's just something we have to deal with. I've learned to correct at every opportunity,but I do it as a matter of habit,so there's no stress or sense of frustration.

Answer 6

Well, as Christians we should be radicals. Just not in that way. I hate how we as Christians are stereotyped by either those who are Christian only by name and don't even care about reading the Bible or what God really thinks- they just want to keep themselves from going to Hell; the other type we usually get labeled as is like those that just tell people that they are going to Hell and are judgemental. They don't even offer the hope in Jesus Christ, or portray his love.

We were called to be radicals that run after him. We are to portray his love and be kind to others, offering the hope found in Jesus Christ and we are to live like him.

So many people have the idea that we are one or the other. As my youth pastor put it, "If you are going to believe in something- be a radical of it." Which pretty much means if you are going to be a Christian, be passionate about it. Follow what the Bible and our Lord tells us and do it radically. Don't be apathetic about it or call yourself something and act another way.

Answer 7

I used to be a Christian but l walked away many years ago because of people you have described. The problem is this - they are so arrogant in their beliefs, they think they are right and everybody else is wrong. They have alienated themselves from the very people they are supposed to try and save. They do not live their lives in a God like fashion. They judge. This is not attractive to a non believer.

Answer 8

Not all religions are Christian. You implied they were by assuming that someone said something about religious crap.



All religions are crap though. I wish I could watch that video to see it since it is actualy probably true.



How does anyone actually know what Jesus, assuming of course that he even existed, was like since he wasn't written about until fifty or so years later by people who never met him.

Answer 9

i think the problem is, is that it's not such a small percentage, as you imply. non christians run into fanatics all the time. if it was only 5 - 10% of christians who were like this, then it wouldn't be so bad, but it seems to be 40 - 50% which is a lot. yes, that still means that 50 - 60% aren't like that, but there are still too many who make you look bad.



just trying to be honest



edit: hisgloryisgreat is one of those who are making you look bad - see, they're everywhere!

Answer 10

Yes, it is frustrating. We are given a bad name by the behavior of some. I saw a good analogy here last week. Every family has a "crazy Aunt Shirley."

Would it be fair to judge everyone in that family by her? Of course not!

Neither is it fair to judge all Christians because of some that are not well-behaved. (trying to put it nicely)

Answer 11

If sinners aren't offended by you then they're just accepting you as one of them.



I don't mean that you have to be disgusting and make everyone you meet feel like punching you in the nose, but if your life doesn't cause people to look at theirs and question their own life and where they are going and what they hold dear, then you're not being a witness of the life changing power of Jesus Christ.



edit:



I didn't watch the video.

Answer 12

Basically, Jesus said they didn't like him and they won't like you. ....

And then we have Christians who give even more publicity to a video that makes fun of the God and Savior that they beleive in......priceless.

When you stand before God better to be confused with those who sold out totally and completely to God................



I am not even sure this is a real question, or just a chance to distrubute an anti- Christian video.......................

unbeleivable.

Answer 13

I. If you believe a book that says 'If you don't do what we say you will burn in hell" then it seems like you might be pretty easy to stereotype.

Answer 14

I agree, the same can be applied to any belief. Sorry I cant watch the video... im at work ; )

Answer 15

How exactly do you define "mission trip"? Real Christianity IS radical, evangelical, offensive to some, and,(oh yes, by the way) THE TRUTH.