Alright, so I was part of a christian discussion group for a couple of months, which in itself was an interesting experience, and a good one even though everyone was well aware of the fact that I'm not christian. But now the man who was leading it wants me to make a list, and I'll probably make it a video, about how non-Christians view Christianity, and any pre-conceptions we might have. I guess I talked about this a lot in the group. ^_^ He would be using this video in other groups and discussions, and I know it would be in a polite and respectful manner. But anyways, my question to you is this: what are your pre-conceptions about Christianity? What kind of stereotypes have you come across and what do you think of them? It would be a huge help!

I don't know if its quite a stereotype...
but like... lumping all Christians together.

As a Pagan we say its not OK to lump all the Pagans together, and its not OK to lump all Native Americans or Black people together....
But having never been a Christian (I was raised Jewish,) I know that I and the people around me lumped all the Christians together. Somewhere in the back of my head I knew there were differences, but I didn't know much. I knew that some Christians believed in saints and other didn't.

I know better now. My family doesn't, really. Mom still kind of lumps all of the Christians together, and makes it seem very much that all Christians are hateful and bigoted and cram their ideologies down your throat.

I agree, its hard to list any perceptions about a group without categorizing or sterotyping. No matter what traits you list, it wouldn't be true to say that it applies to ALL of that group.

However, for points of discussion, here are a few personality types that I've come across:

The Quiet Christian: Knowledgeable but doesn't preach. Keeps it to themselves but has a fair grounding in the facts of their faith.

The "Sunday Morning" Christian: Limited knowledge about their own faith, virtually no knowledge about other faiths. Attends church rarely or only on Sundays. Sometimes seems like they are "going through the motions" without much passion, or that they do it because its always been done.

The Shallow believer: Say's they're christian but doesn't practice, doesn't go to church.... limited knowledge about their faith.. sometimes they are Christian in name only.

The Evangelical Fanatic: Everyone who doesn't believe as they do is going to burn. The world is going to Hell and can only be saved by doing exaclty whatever they believe in. Will sometimes actively try and recruit others to their own group and generally fear members of their group leaving.

The Spiritualist Christian: Believes in Angels, Miracles, or other sorts of spirits... sometimes Saints and even Psychic phenomena, but puts it all into the context of Christianity.

The Kind Preacher: Generally very nice, kind, and gentle soul. Genuinely believes that anyone who is not following Christianity is "lost" and is saddened by it. Tries to convert others so that they can experience "joy" or because they are saddened that others are "lost". Sometimes pitty non-believers

The Persecuted Christian: Thinks "freedom of religion" only applies to THEIR religion. Sees many things as attacking or persecuting their faith. Anything secular, any recognition of different types of religion, and the general movement of the culture is an attack on their religion. If you don't let them put up their 10 commandments anywhere they want (such as schools or courtrooms) you are attacking them. If you don't let them force others to pray to their God, you are attacking them. If you try to be inclusive (such as "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas" i.e. the "War on Christmas") it is a direct attack on their own faith. These are the sorts that got angry at the GAP for making a Christmas commercial that mentioned many holidays (including Christmas) that all happen in the same season... because to them you should only mention THEIR holiday or else its a "War" on them. This is the sort that insists on displays of their own faith (crosses or creche's on public land, prayers at govt/school functions etc), and any attempt to limit such displays is an "attack" on their faith. Also any displays of religions other than their own in the same manner are not acceptable, and are more evidence that their own faith is under attack.

Of course there are probably many many more types that I can't think of off the top of my head, but you get the general idea.... there are as many different sorts as there are people... and probably nobody fits neatly into any ONE category. I could see that a person might have aspects of several of these types all rolled up into the same person.

I think it's true that there's a tendency to lump all Christians together. The fact of the matter is that a Christian who dedicates their lives to charity and tolerance and a Christian who preaches fire and brimstone for personal profit are both Christians. A person can believe that the bible is a collection of stories and metaphors assembled by an entirely human source and still be a Christian. My parents believe that their church's stance against many things (including birth control, abortion, and gay rights) are wrong, but that doesn't make them any less Christian or their love for Christ any less profound.

A person can also acknowledge that there's a lot of blending of various belief-systems within Christianity, and still be a Christian. My parents and I are still amazed at times when my rituals and theirs have such a similar structure because of the Greek influence on the Romans, and through them, Christianity.

I would say Talyn did a great job on the way he listed the different types of Christians. From a personal side I use to be a Christian for almost 14 years the reason I left the faith is 80 percent of the Christians would go to church on sunday and be all goody goody then come Monday they would gosip about everyone else and various other things. I have met very few that I would concider true Christians. I won't say that they are all that way but it was enough to make me stop following that faith.

Thanks guys, this will help a lot! I'll post the video when I'm done!