Okay, so, if you have read any of my other articles you would know that I am a strong Christian. I want to live, sleep, and breathe Christ. I am not ashamed of my faith and never will be. Others may not believe the same way I do, but Christ is the reason I am alive. The reason I didn't die at birth along with my mom. I want to share His love with others. I may be a hypocrite at times, but in the end, God is the only one I live for, no one else. So, with that being said, I want to crush the top 5 Christian stereotypes in this article. I know others religions and cultures are tired of people stereotyping them, so hear is my argument for Christians. We aren't stuck up religious freaks like some people see us as!
1. "I don't like homosexuals."
This is the biggest one for me. One of my best friends was homosexual, and I know plenty of people that are. We do NOT hate or dislike homosexuals. Christ calls us to love everyone, but to hate the sin. However, we are not to judge because it's not our place. With this being said, there are "Christians" that judge and hate those who are sinning. I am here to say that I am truly sorry if you have ever had to face someone like this. Not every Christian is like this. In my mind, that is not a true Christian. A Christian with God in their hearts has love for others in their hearts. We may not agree with your life, but we don't hate you. Talk to us, we would love to get to know you!
2. "I think I am better than you."
No. We don't think we are better than you. There are people out there in this world that will think they are better than you no matter what religion you are. It has been very rare for me to find a true Christian that acts like they are better than someone else. We all go through our rough spots, but that doesn't make anyone less valuable than the other in God's eyes.
3. "Christians don't want you to have fun."
This one...just no. Come to church with me one day. I'm legally an adult, but I act like a kid whenever I am at church. I have more fun at church and at Christian concerts than I do anywhere else!! What true Christians don't want is the kind of "fun" that this world has portrayed. The kind of fun where you need alcohol, drugs, sex, and girls all over guys while they are dancing. All of these things create a temporary high that you probably won't remember the next morning. We want people to have fun, but in the right way! I have tried to be the girl that was wild. The one that wanted to go to parties and drink and be crazy. Thankfully, I didn't step anywhere near a party and never got drunk. I don't see the joy in it. When you find the right church, I promise you will have a blast. I used to think Christians didn't have fun and that church was boring. Then I got involved in the right groups that fit my personality and I am the happiest when I am at church. Have fun! Be cheerful! But don't sell yourself short by putting yourself in a position to get drunk and cause your body harm.
4. "Christians are hateful, judgmental, or all the same."
Like I said before, if a true Christian has God in their hearts, they have love not hate. As humans, we sin. We are going to automatically judge others. However, Christians are supposed to leave that to God. Most of us try to, but as anyone knows, it's hard to look at someone or their life and not judge them in our minds. And no, we are not all the same! Just like everyone else, each of us is our own person. We are called to be like Christ, not like other Christians. We all think and act differently, but we all love and worship our one true God.
5. "So you're like religious?"
This one isn't really a statement, but I have gotten this question by many guys that were trying to ask me out or whatever their intentions were. My answer is ALWAYS that it's not really much of a religion as it is a relationship. Religion is described as having a belief something more powerful than a human. While Christians believe in Jesus Christ, we have a relationship with Him. He is our Father and friend. We walk and talk with Christ just like you would with your best friend, because in the end, He is all we need. So yes, Christianity is our religion, but it's not just that.
While most of these stereotypes drive me crazy, as a Christian, I also know that what others think of us isn't as important as what God thinks of us. I love God. I love Christians. I love those that don't believe the same way I do. We want to share this wonderful love that we receive with you. We aren't perky every single day, but God has truly changed my heart and I see the world in a different light. It is seriously the best thing in my opinion, and that's why I want to shine some light on these topics.