Is Stereotyping Necessary? What are Your Opinions?

Winter_Rose · Jun 29, 2016

Why does society use it?
Do you think it's a good idea?
Do you think it's a bad idea?
Have you ever been stereotyped because of who you are?

I personally don't think it's a good idea as it can give a false idea about someone. People should get to know them before they make assumptions about them and you may even learn something from them. One of my favourite sayings is "Put yourself in someone's shoes."

ruben145 · Jun 30, 2016

If we assume that stereotyping is in the same league as judging (as we could say that stereotyping is like judging a person in relation to certain superficial aspects of them) then theoretically it would be a sin for Christians to do so. As for why society uses it, I guess that is related to a culture that goes back all the way to our tribal days.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 30, 2016

Winter_Rose said:
Why does society use it?

Society is extremely wicked , perverse and pernicious (death dealing servants of the devil), according to Scripture.

Winter_Rose said:
Do you think it's a good idea?

No.

Winter_Rose said:
Do you think it's a bad idea?

Yes.

Winter_Rose said:
Have you ever been stereotyped because of who you are?

Stereotyping doesn't happen because of who you are.
It happens when 'society' (evil choices) wins over what is right.

Dikaioumenoi · Jun 30, 2016

Any kind of oversimplification of a person or idea is a bad thing unless the person you're speaking to knows it's in good fun. I think stereotyping is a reflection of the fact that people have a tendency to cast judgment on others before really taking the time to fairly understand them or their views. It's a type of prejudice.

ScottA · Jun 30, 2016

Winter_Rose said:
Why does society use it?
Do you think it's a good idea?
Do you think it's a bad idea?
Have you ever been stereotyped because of who you are?

I personally don't think it's a good idea as it can give a false idea about someone. People should get to know them before they make assumptions about them and you may even learn something from them. One of my favourite sayings is "Put yourself in someone's shoes."

I would tend to agree...but a certain amount of stereotyping is natural and should be expected. It's simply what non-all-knowing creatures must do to process the multitude of possibilities.

So, I view the problem to be something else...like not being kind, or considerate of the one in a million. But on the receiving end, to be offended because someone has the task of processing you amongst some great numbers? It's no offence, it's just them being categorical...and smart, to do so. Cutting to the chase, need not be taken personal. In fact, it could be considered admirably efficient.

At the same time, no one should ever be a victim of such a process, or guilty by association.

Goodbook · Jul 7, 2016

Nobody is really like anyone else except if they are an identical twin.

People are just lazy though and dont realise everyone is unique, and judge on outward appearances most of the time. If we look with Gods eyes, we can discern the heart, as its the holy spirit who can divide between soul and spirit. But many people of course dont have this as they dont really know God.

You DO have to forgive others if they stereotype you as they dont know any better.

afishamongmany · Jul 9, 2016

Goodbook said:
Nobody is really like anyone else except if they are an identical twin.

True, every individual is unique, and yet, and yet stereo-types do have a certain substance to them and even a certain usefulness. The 'truth' of stereo-types is similar to the 'truth' of cartoons. Certain realities are exaggerated and focused on to give a deformed representation of reality. All Brits are unique individuals but collectively they do eat a lot of fish and chips, drink a lot of tea, watch a lot of football and get drunk a lot in Spain on holiday. Well that's what the stereotype used to be a decade or so back.
Interesting isn't it stereotypes are fashioned from facts yet as we all know ... ?

Goodbook said:
People are just lazy though and dont realise everyone is unique, and judge on outward appearances most of the time.

The thing is what else would one make a judgement on?
Think it's time for a cuppa,
><>

Goodbook · Jul 9, 2016

Lol i know, sometimes steretypes can hurt but many are just harmless banter.
However in a christian sense, if we are to use them we must realise that God can change anyone, hes the potter, we are the clay.

hopesprings · Jul 9, 2016

afishamongmany said:
The 'truth' of stereo-types is similar to the 'truth' of cartoons. Certain realities are exaggerated and focused on to give a deformed representation of reality.

Well said.

NOTWHATIWAS · Jul 9, 2016

I think it depends. I can say that I am Italian and therefore know how to make great pasta. I can say that I think that no one does high tea better than the Brits. These are distinctions that often set these two cultures apart. They are also compliments, if taken in the spirit that they are intended.

havevisions · Jul 9, 2016

I believe that stereotyping is generally wrong, but we see that Jesus, the ultimate teacher, used it to His advantage, not that He looked on the woman at the well stereotypically, (is there such word?) because she was a Samaritan, but she did however. She said to Jesus "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" Jews did not share things in common with Samaritans. Then the conversation became spiritual, as Jesus ministered to her spiritual needs. We know the story well. That should be our motive, to use the concept that Bill Bright popularized when he called them "transferable concepts". Always turn the conversation back to the spiritual, and not think about anything to do with some kind of "pigeonholing". Otherwise, you have lost any chance of being a witness.

NOTWHATIWAS · Jul 9, 2016

havevisions said:
I believe that stereotyping is generally wrong, but we see that Jesus, the ultimate teacher, used it to His advantage, not that He looked on the woman at the well stereotypically, (is there such word?) because she was a Samaritan, but she did however. She said to Jesus "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" Jews did not share things in common with Samaritans. Then the conversation became spiritual, as Jesus ministered to her spiritual needs. We know the story well. That should be our motive, to use the concept that Bill Bright popularized when he called them "transferable concepts". Always turn the conversation back to the spiritual, and not think about anything to do with some kind of "pigeonholing". Otherwise, you have lost any chance of being a witness.

Good point!

Goodbook · Jul 13, 2016

Yes, well, Jesus sure didnt think much of tax collectors, yet he made friends with Zaccheus.

Albion · Jul 13, 2016

How about being stereotyped incorrectly? For example, you say you are pro-life, so someone calls you a "Right wing extremist." To me, this is the worst kind of stereotyping and it's the most common variety of it.

Winter_Rose · Jul 16, 2016

NOTWHATIWAS said:
I think it depends. I can say that I am Italian and therefore know how to make great pasta. I can say that I think that no one does high tea better than the Brits. These are distinctions that often set these two cultures apart. They are also compliments, if taken in the spirit that they are intended.

I agree with you. I think everyone likes hearing compliments about themselves.

Job8 · Jul 16, 2016

Winter_Rose said:
Do you think it's a good idea?

Yes, it is a good idea when it comes to Muslims and Arabs. Since their religion commits them to Jihad, it should be a given that they are committed to Jihad above anything else.

Is Stereotyping Necessary? What are Your Opinions?

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