Christian stereotypes

[MoNiCa4316]

Recently, I've been thinking about Christian stereotypes....like what people sometimes think when you tell them you're a Christian. Can you think of some stereotypes? Some are funny, some are insulting, and some are true... How do you feel about them? How 'stereotypical' would you say you are?

The reason I'm asking is because I've been part of several discussions with my atheist friends, and it's sometimes interesting how they view us...I got to admit some things they said were a little hurtful though...I'm not Ned Flanders, lol.

But sometimes I do laugh at myself. Oki here's me:

I mostly listen to Christian music
I'm mostly conservative in terms of politics
I go to Christian concerts and conferences
I don't believe in evolution
I don't drink
I don't smoke
I don't go clubbing, etc
I don't celebrate Halloween
I go to church every Sunday
I'm evangelical Protestant
I like the show 'Touched by an Angel'
I'm pro-life

However:

I like the Harry Potter books
I wear makeup
I don't really support George Bush
I like philosophy - although my faith is pretty simple
I'm not really into 'religion'..my faith is more of just a relationship with God
I don't think that homosexuality is the 'worst sin ever', although I don't support it
I have a lot of non Christian friends
I grew up in a non religious home, and used to be agnostic
Many of my friends think that Christians are judgemental...I try not to be...well I believe that it's better to love people than to judge them...
I'm not suffering from guilt...this is the strangest stereotype of all, because of course we're forgiven so we're not supposed to feel guilty for sins that we've already repented of..that's the whole point..that's why Christ died! Instead we should rejoice in the Lord
I don't have one of those 'fish' things on my car, although I think it's fine to have one...it cheers me up to see them on the road, lol.

That's all I could think of at the moment.

I'd just like to add that this is not a debate on what makes a person "more" or "less" Christian...the only thing that makes someone a Christian is their faith in God and obedience to Christ...and love, of course! Not how well they fit into "Christian culture"...I don't think God cares about that at all. That's why these stereotypes are so silly and have no bearing on our salvation. In fact, I'm often annoyed that most people's view of a "typical Christian" has nothing to do with REAL Christianity. I think we should just be more like Jesus and break some stereotypes!

 

[SharonL]

Yes walking the walk brings a lot of criticism. I am constantly accused of:

Being a Jesus freak
Having a direct line to God
Believing in the Rapture
Believing we all have a ministry
Hearing from God
Being called to a certain task
Trying to tell people how to live their lives
Believing God has a plan for our lives
Being Pro-Life
Writing poems that I hear from the Holy Spirit

Then critized for:
Not going to church every Sunday
Being too strict on my beliefs about abortion
Believing there will be a Rapture
Watching some televanglists
Doing too much for people
Giving too much away
Thinking of others instead of myself

No matter what you do - someone will critize - just be true to yourself and to God, walk with your hand in the hand of Jesus being led by the HOly Spirit.

 

[Adammi]

Recently, I've been thinking about Christian stereotypes....like what people sometimes think when you tell them you're a Christian. Can you think of some stereotypes? Some are funny, some are insulting, and some are true... How do you feel about them? How 'stereotypical' would you say you are?

The reason I'm asking is because I've been part of several discussions with my atheist friends, and it's sometimes interesting how they view us...I got to admit some things they said were a little hurtful though...I'm not Ned Flanders, lol.

But sometimes I do laugh at myself. Oki here's me:

I mostly listen to Christian music
I'm mostly conservative in terms of politics
I go to Christian concerts and conferences
I don't believe in evolution
I don't drink
I don't smoke
I don't go clubbing, etc
I don't celebrate Halloween
I go to church every Sunday
I'm evangelical Protestant
I like the show 'Touched by an Angel'
I'm pro-life

However:

I like the Harry Potter books
I wear makeup
I don't really support George Bush
I like philosophy - although my faith is pretty simple
I'm not really into 'religion'..my faith is more of just a relationship with God
I don't think that homosexuality is the 'worst sin ever', although I don't support it
I have a lot of non Christian friends
I grew up in a non religious home, and used to be agnostic
Many of my friends think that Christians are judgemental...I try not to be...well I believe that it's better to love people than to judge them...
I'm not suffering from guilt...this is the strangest stereotype of all, because of course we're forgiven so we're not supposed to feel guilty for sins that we've already repented of..that's the whole point..that's why Christ died! Instead we should rejoice in the Lord
I don't have one of those 'fish' things on my car, although I think it's fine to have one...it cheers me up to see them on the road, lol.

That's all I could think of at the moment.

I'd just like to add that this is not a debate on what makes a person "more" or "less" Christian...the only thing that makes someone a Christian is their faith in God and obedience to Christ...and love, of course! Not how well they fit into "Christian culture"...I don't think God cares about that at all. That's why these stereotypes are so silly and have no bearing on our salvation. In fact, I'm often annoyed that most people's view of a "typical Christian" has nothing to do with REAL Christianity. I think we should just be more like Jesus and break some stereotypes!

Great post.

 

[NorrinRadd]

I wrote a long reply, but it included a bunch of smileys. The system demanded that I delete some, but I chose to delete the message instead.