19 Types of Christians

19 TYPES OF CHRISTIANS



Most people take religion on in different capacities. While some are deeply devout on a daily basis, others may only pray in times of great desperation. Some seek to eliminate humanity's wrongs while others seek to prove humanity wrong. Take a look at nineteen typical types of Christians to see if you fit or break the mold - or know someone who does.



Jesus is My BFF

Teenagers who think Christianity is trendy

Can be spotted wearing "WWJD" bracelets, "Jesus Is My Homeboy" t-shirts, etc.

May profess their faith, but nor practice it or know much about it.

FAVORITES: Justin Bieber, Twilight, Christian rock/rap



True Heroes

Focused on the benefits of religion, food will and humanitarianism rather than debate, disapproval and antagonism

Seek equality, happiness and prosperity for all

This belief may sometimes take precedence over strict, literal biblical adherence

Often martyrs - willing to die for what they believe in

INSPIRATIONS: Martin Luther King, Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer



Right-Wing Zealots

Some overlap with Haters and Reactives

May participate in The Tea Party

Actively opposed to liberalism, atheism, and all that comes with it

NOTABLES: Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Pat Robertson, Glenn Beck



Punk Rockers for Christ

Aim to dispel the myth that Christians must be plain, simple, quiet

Express themselves through appearance and music

May attend skate church - a free form, youth-focused, progressive church

Often have tattoos

NOTABLES: Steve Baldwin, MxPx, Good Charlotte, Tooth and Nail Records



Intellectuals

May read RELEVANT (a fittingly intellectual Christian publication)

Take their studies seriously, often are well-traveled - may have engaged in studies abroad, especially in Europe

Open to theological/world view debate, can be more open-minded, tolerant of other religions



Holier Than Thous

Believe they are spiritually superior to their peers May then believe their views are more important/correct

Judge others based on their own moral compass

Quick to point fingers, but run the risk of hypocrisy

Publicly declare moral accomplishments that are rare (e.g. virginity through marriage)

Draw attention to their faith through public displays of faith (see "Tebowing")

His praying on the firled inspired the term "Tebowing" - to pray on one knee when no one else is

NOTABLES: NFL player Tim Tebow



Serving the Poor

Work to correct humanity's wrongdoings

Often sacrifice own comforts for the benefit of others

Believe in public service/going God's will

May work in shelters, soup kitchens, missionary services, Peace Corps, or similar organizations

INSPIRATIONS: Jesus, Mother Theresa, Shane Claiborne



Nostalgics

Reminisce about the "good old days" (the '50s)

May still wear antiquated hairstyles/clothing from said era

Don't understand the modern, crass incarnations of Christians

FAVORITES: Leave it to Beaver, piping hot dinner at 6:00 sharp, pies cooling on the windowsill



Artsy Hipsters

Poets, painters, musicians, writers, designers

Channel God/spirituality through their creative endeavors

Taster in art often changes over time

Choice of books may be dictated by cover art/typography Overt religious implications are usually avoided in favor of unique and subversive expressions of faith

May dress in layers, with lots of draping, scarves, long tops, leggings...and the more vintage the better



Salt of the Earth

May indeed disassociate from all cultures of excess; may be Amish, Mennonite

Primary interest is personal fulfillment/holiness

No focus on admonishing others

Try to lead simple lives

Have less need for material wealth



Ignoramuses

Blind, unquestioning faith, which may be professed more than practiced

Favor faith over logic in all cases

Keep a crucifix on the wall - it may be the only decoration in the house

Probably have not read the bible



Hucksters

Those who try to market Christianity as a good/service

Healers, psychics, etc.

NOTABLES: Benny Hinn, Sylvia Brown, Steve Martin as Jonas Nightingale in Leap of Faith



Moralizers

Nearly the opposite of Salt of the Earth Insist that others must hear and share their views

Just as Holier Than Thous believe they are spiritually superior, Moralizers believe they're socially/morally superior

May associate with Holier Than Thous, Reactives and Right-Wing Zealots



Haters

Twitter trending hashtag #GodIsNotGreat was started in memoriam to Christopher Hitchens, an author who frequently criticized religious beliefs and died at the end of 2011 ("God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" was a best-selling books of his; hence the hashtag)

The Hater response included tweets suck as: "I will shoot you in the face" and "Whoever started #GodIsNotGreat needs the sh** beat out of them! >:HOW CARE YOU!"

Westboro Baptist Church: godhatesfags.com



Reactives

Focused on eliminating what they perceive to be false teachings/schools of thought

May support removal of evolution from public school curriculum (as fact, as least)

May in turn support Texas' mission to replace evolutionary theory with creationism in textbooks

May be confused with "Haters"

Arguments in favor of their own opinions may take a backseat to the quest to prove conflicting viewpoints wrong



Bandwagoners

Christian because, hey, everyone else around them is

Attend church only on significant holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas)

Memorize a few biblical verses to recite them at strategic times

May wear crosses for fashion rather than faith

Considerable room for overlap with the other types



Doubting Thomases

From the disciple Thomas (Didymus), who did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead...he insisted he must see Jesus and his wounds before he would believe

Modern version: the former Christian who has become agnostic, but remains open-minded toward Christianity

Question their faith

Want to believe, but sometimes find themselves unable

May find that science or other Doubting Thomases are holding them back from full faith



Superstitious

Old Catholic ladies never seen without rosaries and saints around their neck

May strongly adhere to myths related to mother's backs and black cats

May do well to remember the First Commandment, and that carrying superstitions indicated a lack of trust in God



Sentimentalists

Avid fans of precious/delicate art with Christian undertones

Love scenery, happy families, children, etc.

Mantles, living room and hallways may be decorated extensively with such art

FAVORITES: Thomas Kinkade, Precious Moments 19 TYPES OF CHRISTIANS Most people take religion on in different capacities. While some are deeply devout on a daily basis, others may only pray in times of great desperation. Some seek to eliminate humanity's wrongs while others seek to prove humanity wrong. Take a look at nineteen typical types of Christians to see if you fit or break the mold-or know someone who does. Jesus is My BFF Teenagers who think Christianity is trendy Can be spotted wearing "WWJD" bracelets, "Jesus Is My Homeboy" t-shirts, etc. FAVORITES: Justin Bieber, Twilight, Christian rock/rap May profess their faith, but not practice it or know much about it True Heroes Focused on benefits of religion, good will and humanitarianism rather than debate, disapproval and antagonism INSPIRATIONS: Martin Luther King, Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer Seek equality, happiness and prosperity for all This belief may sometimes take precedence over strict, literal biblical adherence Often martyrs-willing to die for what they believe in Right- Wling Zealots Some overlap with Haters and Reactives May participate in The Tea Party NOTABLES: Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Pat Robertson, Glenn Beck Actively opposed to liberalism, atheism, and all that comes with it Punk Rockers for Christ Aim to dispel the myth that Christians must be plain, simple, quiet NOTABLES: Express themselves through Steven Baldwin, appearance and music MxPx, Good Charlotte, Tooth and Nail Records May attend skate church-a freeform, youth-focused, progressive church Often have tattoos Intellectuals May read RELEVANT (a fittingly intellectual Christian publication) Take their studies seriously, often are well-traveled-may have engaged in studies abroad, especially in Europe FAVORITES: CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Alvin Plantinga Open to theological/world view debate, can be more open-minded, tolerant of other religions Holier Than Thous Believe they are spiritually superior to their peers May then believe their views are more important/correct NOTABLES: NFL player Tim Tebow Judge others based on their own moral compass Quick to point fingers, but run the risk of hypocrisy Publicly declare moral accomplishments that are rare (e.g. virginity through marriage) His praying on the field inspired the verb "Tebowing"- to pray on one knee when no one else is Draw attention to their faith through public displays of faith (see "Tebowing") Serving the Poor Work to correct humanity's wrongdoings Often sacrifice own comforts for the benefit of others INSPIRATIONS: Jesus, Mother Theresa, Believe in public service/doing God's will Shane Claiborne May work in shelters, soup kitchens, missionary services, Peace Corps, or similar organizations Nostalgics Reminisce about the "good old days" (the '50s) FAVORITES: Leave it to Beaver, piping hot dinner at 6:00 sharp, pies cooling on the windowsill May still wear antiquated hairstyles/clothing from said era Don't understand the modern, crass incarnations of Christians Antay Hipsters Poets, painters, musicians, writers, designers Channel God/spirituality through creative endeavors Taste in art often changes over time Choice of books may be dictated by cover art/typography Overt religious implications are usually avoided in favor of unique and subversive expressions of faith May dress in layers, with lots of draping, scarves, long tops, leggings... and the more vintage, the better Salt of the Earth May indeed disassociate from all cultures of excess; may be Amish, Mennonite Primary interest is personal fulfillment/holiness No focus on admonishing others Try to lead simple lives Have less need for material wealth Ignoramuses Blind, unquestioning faith, which may be professed more than practiced Favor faith over logic in all cases Keep a crucifix on the wall-it may be the only decoration in the house Probably have not read the Bible Hucksters Those who try to market Christianity as a good/service NOTABLES: Benny Hinn, Sylvia Browne, Steve Martin as Healers, psychics, etc. Jonas Nightingale in Leap of Faith Moralizens Nearly opposite of Salt of the Earth Insist that others must hear and share their views Just as Holier Than Thous believe they are spiritually superior, Moralizers believe they're socially/morally superior May associate with Holier Than Thous, Reactives and Right-Wing Zealots Haters Twitter trending hashtag #GodIsNotGreat was started in memoriam to Christopher Hitchens, an author who frequently criticized religious beliefs and died at the end of 2011 (“God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" was a best-selling book of his; hence the hashtag) The Hater response included tweets such as: "I will shoot you in the face" and "Whoever started #GodIsNotGreat needs the sh** beat out of them! >:I HOW DARE YOU!" Westboro Baptist Church: godhatesfags.com Reactives Focused on eliminating what they perceive to be false teachings/schools of thought May support removal of evolution from public school curriculum (as fact, at least) May in turn support Texas' mission to replace evolutionary theory with creationism in textbooks Arguments in favor of their own opinions may take a backseat to the quest to prove conflicting viewpoints wrong May be confused with "Haters" Bandmagoners Christian because, hey, everyone else around them is Attend church only on significant holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas) Memorize a few biblical verses to recite them at strategic times May wear crosses for fashion rather than faith Considerable room for overlap with the other types Doubting Thomases From the disciple Thomas (Didymus), who did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead... he insisted he must see Jesus and his wounds before he would believe Modern version: the former Christian who has become agnostic, but remains open- minded toward Christianity Question their faith Want to believe, but sometimes find themselves unable May find that science or other Doubting Thomases are holding them back from full faith Superstitious Old Catholic ladies never seen without rosaries and saints around their necks May strongly adhere to myths related to mother's backs and black cats May do well to remember the First Commandment, and that carrying superstitions indicates a lack of trust in God Sentimentalists Avid fans of precious/delicate art with Christian undertones Love scenery, happy families, children, etc. FAVORITES: Thomas Kinkade, Mantles, living room and hallways may be decorated extensively with such art Precious Moments Sources: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2010/06/thomas_kinkade.html http://www.thomaskinkade.com/magi/servlet/ com.asucon.ebiz.biography.web.tk.BiographyServlet http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNSEOG/b.4223277/k.63A7/How_Can a Christian_Be Superstitious.htm http://www.dbonhoeffer.org/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/martin-luther-king-jr-was_b_695964.html http://hipsterchristianity.com/anatomy.php http://hipsterchristianity.com/anatomy.php?sceneNum-4 http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/25586-is-christianity-anti- intellectual http://georgepwood.com/2010/04/16/holier-than-thou-and-uppity-christians-1-corinthians-46-7/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-krattenmaker/when-tim-tebow-loses_b_1210578.html http://tebowing.com/ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/arts/christopher-hitchens-is-dead-at-62-obituary.html? pagewanted-all http://www.atheistunderworld.com/2011/12/19/theists-threaten-kill-atheists-again/ http://cdn.thegloss.com/files/2011/09/Westboro-Baptist-Church.jpg http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/doubting-thomas-faq.htm