Why are there so many negative stereotypes against Christians?

My thoughts are that if more people that claim the name of "Christian" would act as though they were what they claim to be, then it wouldn't bother so many people. Too many "Christians" end up trying to tell everyone how wrong and sinful they are, and are usually not very nice about it. My opinion is that if more Christians practiced tolerance, more people would be tolerant towards them.

I tend to agree with myklj999 up there.
It's been my experience to be judged and told either I or my parents or whoever is going to Hell. When will these self-proclaimed righteous types recall the verses that state "judge not lest ye be judged" and "vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord?"
I don't need to go to church and be around that type of activity in order to talk to God.

Christians have an enormous responsibility to be kind and loving. Even people who aren't Christians know this and are on the lookout for any Christian who doesn't seem to be living up to those expectations. Their eyes are drawn to the flawed Christians who are looking for self recognition instead of the loving Christians who just want to help people and honor God.

well it says in the bible that we will be scourned and what not for being christians its all part of the process god has intended to happen in the end of days just hang on and keep faith the truth will b revealed soon enough. i just hope the ppl that do not beleive will find god and get saved.. i pray 4 these ppl all the time

Well the first 2 responses pretty well covered it.

There just seem to be a lot of outspoken christians who seem to think their better than anybody else & will try to shove their beliefs down your throat to prove it.

I can think of a number of reasons! The non christian world must have been Staggered by the easy and quite inappropriate manner Abusers in the Christian Child Molestation Scandals were allowed to go free. (to sin again)The Church threw money at the problem and it went away! Christianity as a Religion is becoming Staid and Stale. This Business of Religion was dreamed up Hundreds of years ago for a much less Educated Population. Science as we know it didn't exist. People were child-like in their thinking, and didn't question anything. It was like they wanted, and needed a belief system. Today with modern (almost miraculous) dating systems, and Scientific approaches to Religion, people are not as naive, and are much better educated. The Priest and Pastor, although still presuming to speak for the 'Lord' do not carry the weight they did just a century ago, and are losing credibility with each passing day. Churches are empty and its becoming impossible to find replacements for the Clergy. People moving past their religious needs, are beginning to think for themselves. What happens next- only God knows, and She isn't telling!

It's called generalization. The south has proportionately more Christians than the north. What's more, political conservatives are more often than not Christians. The stereotypes for christians come from experience with the most negative characteristics of some Christians. Bigotry, hatred, and hypocrisy are some of the worst things some Christians are known for. That's not to say all Christians are like that - but when stereotyping comes into play, the most extreme characteristics of the group are considered.

I've seen this complaint/observation a lot these days on "user-generated content" sites. I'm not sure it's entirely true. But then, I'm not known for being observant - lol, to say the least!

I will say that, at least from the coverage and media I prefer, there is a tendency toward derision of the far right. I don't know if the criticism you're seeing is toward Christians, other the furthest right nut-jobs who, unfortunately, cling to their alleged spirituality in hopes of that giving them some legitimacy.

I would not deride Christians for practicing, living, and even*sharing* their faith. I WILL rail against the closed-minded right for their prejudice and arrogance.

I will rail against THAT all day long.

Not every Christian is a conservative or republican for that matter.
I think the term Christian is over used by many. It's one thing to profess your faith, but another to be a braggart about it. I'm not talking about you personally, just what I have observed from others.
In my life I have seen two types of Christians. The ones who you know are Christians by their actions (not all people who are good and decent are Christians) and those who make sure everyone knows it.

If Christians did not want to be negatively stereotyped, there are things they could do to remedy this. First - stop being hypocrites. Do what you say, say what you do instead of saying one thing and doing another. Become tolerant. Live your own life the way you believe you should but do not judge others or try to convince others to follow your beliefs. Don't ever tell others their beliefs are wrong, because that opens the door for others to do the same right back to you. Remember that you in no way are better or more knowledgable than another person, so to claim you are is a lie. Christians as a whole tend to do this disproportionately, and it is done under the guise of 'sharing the good news' or 'witnessing'. It is not something people are ASKING for, it is something like being bothered by telemarketers at 8 AM on a Saturday.=P

I grew up in the north but now I live in the south and I am NOT religious and nothing would convince me to become religious again. There seems to be very little positive or of value to me to being religious, other than you annoy other people and you deprive yourself. Doesn't sound great to me.