Stereotypes about Religion
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A stereotype refers to generalized beliefs about a particular category of people. Since they are generalized, these beliefs most likely will not apply to every person of a given group. But stereotypes can help people get a broad idea of a person with only little information.
With this in mind, religious stereotypes are generalized beliefs about a particular religion. Oftentimes however, these stereotypes are oversimplified and inaccurate, which can lead to negative outcomes such as discrimination, prejudice, social isolation and limited opportunities.
Another aspect of religious stereotyping is Self-stereotyping, in which an individual applies said Stereotypes to oneself. This can lead to a self fulfilling prophecy.[1]
Common Stereotypes[edit]
Many religious stereotypes apply to more than one religion (e.g., conservative). Also many religions have the stereotype attached to them of being oppressive to women. A common issue with stereotypes is that groups of whom people themselves are not a part of are seen as more homogonous than groups they are a part of (see:out-group_homogeneity). So when people hear of something that one person of a religion did, they will assume that this action is representative of the whole religion.
Christianity[edit]
Religious Zealotry: There is the stereotype that Christians are very devoted and will try to convert other people to their religion. In other words: Christians may be pushy.[2] This can make other people uncomfortable to interact with Christians because they have other beliefs and do not want to be talked into someone else's religion.
Anti Science: Since traditional christianity holds itself to writings in the bible, many Christians might oppose to modern science if it does not align with the bible.[3] This leads to the stereotype that Christians are generally anti science and do not believe in evolution, climate change or modern medicine, even though this might be completely false.[4]
Hypocricy: There is the stereotype that Christian people live hypocritical lives, preaching some aspects of the bible while completely ignoring others. [5] For example, many Christians preach „thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself“ but will vote against same sex marriages and equal opportunities for immigrants.[6]
Judgementality: There is the stereotype that Christians are often intolerant of other religions.[7] This could be due to many people in Europe/North America seeing Christianity as the default and every other religion being a deviation of the norm, or abnormal.(See:Christian privilege)
Islam[edit]
All Muslims are Arab or Middle Eastern: Although Islam has ist roots in Mecca, modern day Saudi Arabia, it is not true that all muslims are native to the region. [8] In fact, about 60% of all Muslims today live in Asia. Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh alone are home to 40% of Muslims World wide. Only about 20% live in the middle east and north africa today.[9]
Oppressive to Women: Many people in Europe feel like Islam is oppressive to Women, even more than Christianity, because a lot of women choose to cover themselves for their god. Since the men in Islam don't do this, it‘s seen as sexist. [10] However, most women choose to cover themselves as a form of respect and empowerment.[11]The amount of modesty also depends heavily on culture and region[12].
Religion of War: Since the roots of Islam lie in the Middle_East and this region has been fighting many wars in the recent years, many people connect these two ideas and conclude that it‘s the Islam that causes wars. Additionally, some terrorist groups use Islam in their name, such as ISIS. This only further connects war to Islam. However, this extremist behaviour is not representative for most Muslims, just as the ideologies of the KKK are not representative of Christians as a whole. Most Muslims distance themselves from War and these Terrorist groups and will even flee their countries to escape. [13] [14]
Jihad as a Symbol of War Jihad is another Keyword that is associated with Islam and War(See: Jihadism). As it is with many religious texts, the writings can be interpreted in many different ways. The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations says: „The importance of jihad is rooted in the Quran’s command to struggle (the literal meaning of the word jihad) in the path of God and in the example of the Prophet Muhammad and his early Companions. In its most general meaning, jihad refers to the obligation incumbent on all Muslims, individuals and the community, to follow and realize God’s will: to lead a virtuous life and to extend the Islamic community through preaching, education, example, writing, etc. Jihad also includes the right, indeed the obligation, to defend Islam and the community from aggression“.[15]
References[edit]
- ↑ Rios, Kimberly; Cheng, Zhen Hadassah; Totton, Rebecca R.; Shariff, Azim F. (2015). "Negative Stereotypes Cause Christians to Underperform in and Disidentify with Science". Social Psychological and Personality Science. 6 (8): 959–967. doi:10.1177/1948550615598378.
- ↑ Erentzen, Caroline A.; Bergstrom, Veronica N. Z.; Zeng, Norman; Chasteen, Alison L. (2023). "The gendered nature of Muslim and Christian stereotypes in the United States". Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. 26 (8): 1726–1749. doi:10.1177/13684302221138036.
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2014/10/30/5-facts-about-evolution-and-religion/#:~:text=Are%20faith%20and%20belief%20in,origins%20back%20into%20the%20news
- ↑ https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED518279
- ↑ https://www.episcopalchurch.org/jesus-in-america/
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/party-affiliation/
- ↑ https://www.episcopalchurch.org/jesus-in-america/
- ↑ https://www.history.com/topics/religion/islam
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/10/07/mapping-the-global-muslim-population/
- ↑ https://www.learningforjustice.org/sites/default/files/general/tt_debunking_misconceptions_0.pdf
- ↑ https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/hijab-a-symbol-of-modesty-empowerment-for-muslim-women/#:~:text=For%20Muslim%20women%2C%20the%20hijab,is%20called%20the%20%27Imaan%27
- ↑ https://www.learningforjustice.org/sites/default/files/general/tt_debunking_misconceptions_0.pdf
- ↑ https://www.usip.org/publications/2015/11/islam-religion-violence
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2011/08/30/muslim-americans-no-signs-of-growth-in-alienation-or-support-for-extremism/
- ↑ https://www.unaoc.org/repository/Esposito_Jihad_Holy_Unholy.pdf
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