Stereotypes of Churches

[redblue22]

Various church denominations seem to have a stereotypical understanding. Stereotypes are not fair or friendly, but they do tell a little something about how they are viewed by others. Whether you have been to a certain church, or heard about, your job is to talk about churches that you have a social impression thereof; that is, a stereotype. And maybe "why?"

 

[Gnarwhal]

Well for me, the biggest stereotype has always been with Baptists. My mom spent the first 15 years of her life in a Baptist church and has always resented the denomination ever since. She recounts the straw that broke the camels back being when the cross-town Methodist church invited her church to a friendly softball game since both churches were holding their picnics on the same day at the same place.

The Baptist church actually took a whole church service to deliberate whether they should associate with "those Methodists" and ultimately decided "no". That, coupled with stereotypical attitudes of judgment, hypocrisy, and hate lead to my mom leaving and going to the C&MA church that my sister and I would eventually be raised in.

So that stereotype had been unintentionally engrained in me from a young age. My mom never went out of her way to criticize or disparage them, but if I asked her about it she would tell me the truth.

Other stereotypes I heard from my C&MA church about the church I now go to have been things like "they're the frozen chosen", or your garden-variety uptight WASP. There are remnants of that culture at my church, but it's so big that they're in the minority - and actually most of those "WASPs" are quite lovely, warm and friendly people, so... go figure.

Then on my dads side I grew up with some negative stereotypes about Pentecostals, since my grandma forced my dad and his sisters to go with her to an AoG church until he was 12-15. This was an old school Pentecostal church where they declared you weren't saved unless you spoke in tongues. It really wrecked my dad... he went atheist for about 20 years or so. There's a lot of stereotypes about that denomination that I get, both from him, and from my own experience with certain elements from that group: that they're often uneducated folk, no regard for anything rational or logical within the faith, are "holy rollers", and prefer something experiential to anything thoughtful, tangible and lasting.

So I may or may not have opened a can of worms up here by biting, but you asked and I answered. I will say that I am calling these stereotypes, which aren't necessarily the norm or the majority. In some cases I've yet to encounter anyone that's convinced me the stereotypes aren't true, but in other cases I have.

 

[LoveDivine]

Well for me, the biggest stereotype has always been with Baptists. My mom spent the first 15 years of her life in a Baptist church and has always resented the denomination ever since. She recounts the straw that broke the camels back being when the cross-town Methodist church invited her church to a friendly softball game since both churches were holding their picnics on the same day at the same place.

The Baptist church actually took a whole church service to deliberate whether they should associate with "those Methodists" and ultimately decided "no". That, coupled with stereotypical attitudes of judgment, hypocrisy, and hate lead to my mom leaving and going to the C&MA church that my sister and I would eventually be raised in.

So that stereotype had been unintentionally engrained in me from a young age. My mom never went out of her way to criticize or disparage them, but if I asked her about it she would tell me the truth.

Other stereotypes I heard from my C&MA church about the church I now go to have been things like "they're the frozen chosen", or your garden-variety uptight WASP. There are remnants of that culture at my church, but it's so big that they're in the minority - and actually most of those "WASPs" are quite lovely, warm and friendly people, so... go figure.

Then on my dads side I grew up with some negative stereotypes about Pentecostals, since my grandma forced my dad and his sisters to go with her to an AoG church until he was 12-15. This was an old school Pentecostal church where they declared you weren't saved unless you spoke in tongues. It really wrecked my dad... he went atheist for about 20 years or so. There's a lot of stereotypes about that denomination that I get, both from him, and from my own experience with certain elements from that group: that they're often uneducated folk, no regard for anything rational or logical within the faith, are "holy rollers", and prefer something experiential to anything thoughtful, tangible and lasting.

So I may or may not have opened a can of worms up here by biting, but you asked and I answered. I will say that I am calling these stereotypes, which aren't necessarily the norm or the majority. In some cases I've yet to encounter anyone that's convinced me the stereotypes aren't true, but in other cases I have.

You were very brave to be the first to reply, haha. I think I would agree with your analysis of the stereotypes of the groups you listed. Now, it's my turn to be brave and try to change your opinion slightly on Pentecostals I don't consider myself to really belong to any specific denomination. I attend a small non-denominational church. I like and dislike aspects from many different groups. I totally agree with you about the tendency within Pentecostal groups to place a great emphasis on spiritual experiences at the expense of reason and logic. This often leads to imbalance and emotionalism. I also don't believe that salvation is dependent on speaking in tongues or any other spiritual gifts. I do think, however, there are legitimate spiritual experiences that do follow the guidelines laid out in Acts/New Testament. The problem is there are more displays of these supposed experiences that are not in accordance with Biblical teaching. I think many get turned off (and rightly so) by being exposed to chaotic or emotional displays of what is supposedly the power of the Holy Spirit. I have also witnessed this sadly, and it is very cringe-worthy. I don't think that a true experience with the Holy Spirit would result in emotional instability. I personally think the more a person grows in Christ and experiences spiritual things, the more sane and rational they should become. I guess I'm not trying to dissuade you from your current opinion on Pentecostals (it's actually my opinion too,lol) but I would say to keep an open mind to some of their beliefs.

 

[ReesePiece23]

I don't care about denominations. If you believe that Jesus was the son of God, then that's all that matters. Why complicate things? 90% of what was written in Darth and YankeeGirl's posts has just zoomed straight over my head.

But then, I keep my faith simple.

 

[Fortran]

That is quite the interesting question. I would currently associate myself with being a Baptist and I reckon that is one of the denominations that suffers most strongly from stereotypes - some of them sadly with a valid background.

I really, really hate to admit it in some ways, but unfortunately, if I am honest, I associate the so called "black or African American churches" with prosperity preaching. I am not saying this is fair or accurate so please do not take offense. Unfortunately, I think the reason behind this prejudice is thanks to a combination of the media and the fact that those who "speak loudest" or are most controversial are the ones most widely heard. In my instance, this portrayal is compounded by the fact that there are no such churches in my local area; consequently, I lack real-life, likely more positive examples.

I also tend to associate non-denominational churches with more "liberal theology", which I suppose can be either good or bad depending on one's personal beliefs.

 

[SnowyMacie]

Well for me, the biggest stereotype has always been with Baptists. My mom spent the first 15 years of her life in a Baptist church and has always resented the denomination ever since. She recounts the straw that broke the camels back being when the cross-town Methodist church invited her church to a friendly softball game since both churches were holding their picnics on the same day at the same place.

The Baptist church actually took a whole church service to deliberate whether they should associate with "those Methodists" and ultimately decided "no". That, coupled with stereotypical attitudes of judgment, hypocrisy, and hate lead to my mom leaving and going to the C&MA church that my sister and I would eventually be raised in.

So that stereotype had been unintentionally engrained in me from a young age. My mom never went out of her way to criticize or disparage them, but if I asked her about it she would tell me the truth.

That's just sad, not to mention antithetical to the gospel.

Other stereotypes I heard from my C&MA church about the church I now go to have been things like "they're the frozen chosen", or your garden-variety uptight WASP. There are remnants of that culture at my church, but it's so big that they're in the minority - and actually most of those "WASPs" are quite lovely, warm and friendly people, so... go figure.

WASPs? Anyway, my denomination got accused by the Charasmatics as being the "frozen chosen", not because of puritanical reasons, but since we have a more high church style of worship.

Then on my dads side I grew up with some negative stereotypes about Pentecostals, since my grandma forced my dad and his sisters to go with her to an AoG church until he was 12-15. This was an old school Pentecostal church where they declared you weren't saved unless you spoke in tongues. It really wrecked my dad... he went atheist for about 20 years or so. There's a lot of stereotypes about that denomination that I get, both from him, and from my own experience with certain elements from that group: that they're often uneducated folk, no regard for anything rational or logical within the faith, are "holy rollers", and prefer something experiential to anything thoughtful, tangible and lasting.

I've had a similar experience with Pentecostals, mostly the AoG church as well. Pentecostal theology was the main one taught at the Christian high school I attended for two years, and those two years have made me never want to touch the Pentecostal/Charasmatic with a ten foot pole again. They told me I was disrespecting God by using the NIV since it didn't capitalize "he" when referring to God, hinted that I wasn't saved because I didn't believe in Dispensationalism, and said demons were attacking me when I was struggling with depression back then. The AoG Chuch I visted via friends a couple of times hinted about the not being saved unless you spoke in tongues, part of me thinks my memory is right, the other is not sure. They did believe though that every Christian received the ability to speak in tounges, but some people had other gifts as well. Needless to say, I prayed to receive them and to this day, I can't speak in tongues, so I'm skeptical.

I totally agree with you about the tendency within Pentecostal groups to place a great emphasis on spiritual experiences at the expense of reason and logic. This often leads to imbalance and emotionalism.

I third this about experience and emotion at the expense of reason and logic. There were so many people at that school who said they had some spiritual experience at like 7 or 8 years old and accepted Christ at that point. When I was that age, I was all about Veggie Tales* and puppets. We even watched a video in one of my Bible classes at that school about the rapture, and it had this, maybe 9 year-old girl running to her mom scared about being left behind. I was the only one that seemed to find that disturbing.


*Not going to lie, even working at camp, the highlight of my day with our youngest kids was Veggie Tales/rest time. The counselors were actually more interested in Bob and Larry than the kids.

 

[CCHIPSS]

Pentecostals
- Anyone can do miracles (like speaking in tongues). And no one can understand those languages because they are "angelic" languages.
-Getting uncontrollably possessed by some "spirit" (which they claimed to be the Holy Spirit) and start shaking on the ground is a good thing.
-The bible is considered outdated (only applies to those ancient audience) and the "holy spirit" talk to the followers directly today.
-It is "ok" to sin when the "holy spirit" tell them it is ok. In fact it is "ok" to do anything when the "holy spirit" tell them it is ok.
-It is a valid reason to marry someone when he/she "heard" the "holy spirit" tell the person he/she is to marry that other person. And when an elder jumps in to support that idea, the other person (who goes to the same church) must not reject the marriage proposal.

Catholics
(There is already another very recently thread on this. So I will not repeat myself. )

Southern "Extreme" Baptist
-Certain sins are much worst than other sins.
-Hate both the sin and the sinner.
-God is judgement and punishment.
-Political
-You are with us or you are going to hell.

 

[Tom Mix]

That all Mormons ride bicycles and have 3 or more wives.

Why is that the stereo type? Because I always see them riding bicycles and 20/20 always has stories of the ones who have lots of wives.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

A funny stereotype....
Southern Baptists eat fried chicken at every fellowship meal. To some degree this stereotype is true, it just depends where the church is located.

 

[MehGuy]

Non-denominational Christian

-Jack Chick
-Love mysticism
-Pop culture references
-Hillsong
-Casual dress
-Sometimes PG13 humor
-Semi hot chick with purple color hair who likes to go to youth groups and say hi to me.

 

[Ironhold]

That all Mormons ride bicycles and have 3 or more wives.

Why is that the stereo type? Because I always see them riding bicycles and 20/20 always has stories of the ones who have lots of wives.

The ones on bicycles are religious missionaries.

The ones with multiple wives are part of offshoot groups that the church itself doesn't recognize but which the media love to show off.

 

[Tom Mix]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

 

[Gnarwhal]

Non-denominational Christian

-Jack Chick
-Love mysticism
-Pop culture references
-Hillsong
-Casual dress
-Sometimes PG13 humor
-Semi hot chick with purple color hair who likes to go to youth groups and say hi to me.

PG13 humor? Man you know some riské non-denoms.

 

[KandiJo]

Non-denominational Christian

-Jack Chick
-Love mysticism
-Pop culture references
-Hillsong
-Casual dress
-Sometimes PG13 humor
-Semi hot chick with purple color hair who likes to go to youth groups and say hi to me.

I come from a non-denom church....
-WHats Jack Chick
- WHen you say mysticism I think of something bad. xD
-Yes to the pop culture references
-Hey, dont knock us because we play hillsong songs every weeek.
- God sees my worst clothes, no need to dress up for him. xD
-Eh
-I had purple hair..... D:

 

[fromtheAsh]

I've spent the majority of my faith in a non-denominational church.

- Hillsong is basically their anthem.
- Wording is very important. It's not a time, it's a "season".

 

[Ironhold]

Yes I realize that, I am quoting stereo types, not what they really are.

Thank you for sharing though.

You think your denomination is miss represented, I have to put up with being called a fried chicken eater. I am but I do not understand why it produced an image.

At one point in time, it was common for people in the South - especially African-Americans - to keep chickens. Not only did the chickens mean eggs, it also meant actual chicken meat once the chicken was too old to provide more eggs. Because of this, chicken meat was a common main course.

It was common practice at one time for members of various Protestant congregations to take turns inviting the pastor over to lunch after Sunday morning services. Because chicken meat was so plentiful, chicken was a common Sunday lunch meal; in some places, cooked chicken was even IIRC known as the "prayer bird". The pastor would have their pick of the meat, and then everyone else would get what they wanted from what was left.

Additionally, "fried chicken and fruit" was a common working man's lunch at the time. Fried chicken that was still on the bone required no utensils to eat, and fruits like apples and pears eliminated the need to include a potentially messy beverage. The wife could just brown-bag her husband's meal and then he could be off to work.

 

[High Fidelity]

I don't care about denominations. If you believe that Jesus was the son of God, then that's all that matters. Why complicate things? 90% of what was written in Darth and YankeeGirl's posts has just zoomed straight over my head.

But then, I keep my faith simple.

Indeed. The Bible is first and foremost. The man-made stuff like traditions, ehh, just gets in the way -- worryingly so in some denominations.

There are some stereotypes, like with the Charismatics, but I think stereotypes can become stereotypes for a reason and they aren't always wrong... at least broadly speaking.

 

[High Fidelity]

Non-denominational Christian

-Jack Chick
-Love mysticism
-Pop culture references
-Hillsong
-Casual dress
-Sometimes PG13 humor
-Semi hot chick with purple color hair who likes to go to youth groups and say hi to me.

Sounds like Charismatic to me lol

 

[Tom Mix]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

 

[Ironhold]

About a decade or so back, somebody (I want to say The History Channel) did a two-hour special entitled "The History of Lunch" that looked at the histories of various everyday food items.

For example, peanut butter was actually invented as a health food. A doctor noted that a number of his elderly patients were suffering from malnutrition: they were generally missing teeth, making it hard for them to eat meat. The doctor thus set about trying to find something that was protein-packed which they could just smear on something soft like a piece of bread.