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- #21
Yes, I think it is a very small percentage indeed, and it is abused and misrepresented quite a bit to stereo type the whole religion.
Personally, I see a few qualifiers here:
1. "Christianity" is very, very broad-spectrum. Interestingly enough, it means different things to different people. Some people consider many different religions to be a part of "Christianity" as a whole, while there are many who consider themselves to be Christians, yet don't consider people of other "Christian" religions to be Christians.
2. Personally, there is a big difference in someone saying they are a Christian and actually being a Christian. Someone who truly aspires to be "christ-like" (Christian) will not be rude/obnoxious/hateful towards others or attack them just because they don't believe the same.
3. Christians are stereotyped just about as much as atheists/non-believers or those of different faiths. Sometimes they have brought it upon themselves (Phelps' come to mind) and sometimes they haven't.
That is a perfect example of what I am saying. Phelps does not represent me, nor would I guess that he represents the feelings or beliefs of 99% of Christians, yet b/c his name is in the media (surprise, surprise) then you say 'they' have brought it upon themselves. So, how does Phelps bring anything on me or the thousands of other Christians out there? Are you not intelligent enough to understand or distinguish that you can't take one person's beliefs or actions and color an entire group? Should Phelps actions represent those of all men since he is a man? Would you substitute that wording when talking about a stereo type of the black race. Would you use the word 'they' in the same context then? I highly doubt it.
She said sometimes.