Misconceptions Associated with Being a Christian

As you all should know already, I identify as being a Christian. Just from my own personal experience, there are so many stereotypes associated with Christians. It is 2017, yet we still live in a world where people are judged based off something they identify with?

I thought it would be interesting to discuss a few misconceptions commonly had. Originally, I invited my friend Mikaela to film a video with me, discussing this topic. Thanks to me, I accidentally deleted the entire edited video, right before I was about to post it on my YouTube Channel.

Instead, Mikaela was kind of enough to write up the stereotypes we discussed and her own opinions on them!

Common and Unfortunate Stereotypes about Christians

When you think of Christians, what comes to mind? Do you think of loving and sacrificial people, or do you think of judgmental, narrow-minded, and hateful individuals? For a long time, I thought Christians were judgmental, narrow-minded, and hateful individuals. But then I became one, and I realized how wrong I was.

My name is Mikaela and I am a 2nd year junior at UNC-Greensboro. I am studying social work and Spanish. I am the president of the Every Nation Campus Ministry at UNC-Greensboro; a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, socially responsible campus ministry, with churches and campus ministries in 82 different nations. I was an atheist until my 2nd year of college. I was in a very dark place, and Jesus showed up and brought me out of it. (If you want to hear my testimony, please let me know and I’d be happy to share it with you.)

I want to spend some time addressing common and unfortunate stereotypes about Christians, and hopefully offer you a different perspective!

Stereotype #1: Judgmental

God is the only judge. Christians have no right to judge because everyone sins and falls short of the glory of God. If you come across a judgmental Christian, read this passage to them:

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5 NLT

Stereotype #2: Hateful

The 2nd greatest command (after loving God) is to LOVE your neighbor as yourself. If you come across a hateful Christian, remind them of this command:

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 NLT

Stereotype #3: Republican

Christian does NOT equal Republican. I’m a feminist. Black lives matter to me. I voted for Hilary. Not because I agree with everything she said or did, but because she was the better option to me by far. The last time I read the Bible (30 minutes ago), I did not see Jesus denying health care or other basic needs to people. I actually saw him healing the sick and serving people in need. I saw him fighting for the poor and the oppressed. Remember when he said don't be greedy? That it is better to give than to receive? Oh, and did you know that Jesus was a REFUGEE? Christian does NOT equal Republican. It doesn’t equal Democrat either; God is greater and more complex than a man-made, two-party system. But this ~Republican Jesus~ fantasy needs to end. Rant over.

There are many more stereotypes I could delve into, but this post is already very long. That being said, if you have any questions or want me to tackle any more stereotypes/misconceptions about Christians, please let me know and I would be happy to talk to you!

Much love,

Mikaela

Email: mikaelakathryn3@gmail.com