Free Books – Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose
Jun 6th by JonThanks for the great comments, the contest is over. The winners will be announced soon.
I hope I live long enough to learn how to write as well as 21-year old Kevin Roose.
He’s the author of the recent book, “The Unlikely Disciple
In the book, Kevin, a Brown University student, spends a semester at Liberty University in an attempt to understand evangelical Christianity.
To be honest with you, my first thought when a friend recommended the book to me was, “Fantastic. A non-Christian wrote another ‘I went undercover in Christianity mockumentary.’ How original.”
But I was wrong (and pretty judgmental too). Right from the get go, Roose establishes his intent. “I did want to see what Christian college was like, with as little prejudgment as possible. I knew that wouldn’t be easy—you can’t neutralize a lifetime of bias overnight—but I wanted to try my best. So my second decision was: no cheap shots. If I went to Liberty, it would be to learn with an open mind, not to mock Liberty students or the evangelical world in toto.”
This book is beautifully written. It is an interesting reflection of a segment of Christianity. And even though I disagreed with some of Kevin’s arguments (which I would hope would happen if Kevin, a non Christian, and me, a Christian, are both being honest about what we believe) I think you’ll find it to be a really fascinating book. Best of all, I’ve got 5 copies to give away. (Hardcover even!)
So here’s the contest. Post a comment with your favorite stereotype about Christianity. Best 5 win. Enter until Tuesday, June 9th and then I’ll announce the winners.
What’s your favorite stereotype about Christians and Christianity?
Comments
all Christians are evangelical.
all evangelicals are nuts, stupid, and any and everything that is irrational.
therefore all Christians are nuts, stupid, and any and everything that is irrational.
BTW, i was raised southern/hick/country/backwoods Pentecostal. minus the snakes.
We're rich.
…excuse me? I mean, I know all Christians are Republicans, but was Jesus rich?
Stereotype #1: the Crusader Christian
This Christian shows the love of God through a never-ceasing holy war on the beliefs of others. Is that man wearing a yarmulke? Sorry, buddy, you missed the Messiah Motorcade. Pro-choice? More like pro-murder. And did that person really bring a vegan dish to the church pot luck? Excuse me, Breeze or Fern or Trickling Mountain Brook, but you're going to have to take that devil food down to the heathens at the Unitarian church.
Stereotype #2: the Media Nazi
Yes, Mrs. McFlanderson, I know that the neighborhood contract forbids bonfires over 300 feet high, but it was for a good cause. I caught little Jimmy reading Harry Potter and the DaVinci Code while watching a Democrat on CSPAN! You say your plasma screen is missing? Well, I did see some Desperate Housewives onscreen when driving by the other day… no, I haven't seen Jimmy lately either… why do you ask?
Stereotype #3: the ApathetiChristian
An Israeli-Palestinian conflict? I thought Jesus took care of that thousands of years ago when He drop-kicked Mohammad off of the Dome of the Rock. And did somebody say trickle down economics? I've got a Mercedes/ Mansion Ministry going. Tax cuts for Jesus!
I guess my first thought at reading a book like this actually epitomizes a stereotype that I have to fight against in my own personality. It's the thought that I can't read something like this because it goes against Christianity, and anything that causes me to question my beliefs is bad. I know that's not a good argument but it's the way I was raised and I fight to overcome it. It's that stereotype that says Christians are afraid to look at other peoples views openly and considerately.
'real' Christians homeschool their children. and on summer break they take them to the beach in this: http://www.wholesomewear.com/skirted-b.html
1. all christians just want to convert you.
2. christians are good people. (uh…we still sin…that's why we need Jesus).
3. christians and sinners don't mix.
Christians are asexual, sugar-free, ice-milk-eating Rod and Todd Flanderses, as portrayed by "God's Pottery" in last year's "Last Comic Standing."
I don't know if I have a favorite stereotype, but I know before I was saved, I had a few preconceived notions about Christianity:
1: church is boring and covicting. REALITY: My church worships the Lord, and it's fun. Who said church can't be fun. Yes, many times,I am convicted at church, but I am also redeemed by the blood shed on the cross.
2: "Jesus Freaks" or "Bible Bangers" are crazy and want to convert everyone to this crazy thing called being a Christian. REALITY: I am a Jesus Freak…I love my Savior and I am proud to be bathed in His blood – He put me on this earth to be a disciple to all nations…that's a big task, so I guess I am a Bible Banger.
3: Christians are stuffy, boring, Republicans. REALITY: some of the funniest, unkempt, crazy people are Christians. We aren't perfect but we do have fun. Ask any youth pastor who has wrapped youth in saran wrap and make them wiggle across the fellowship hall to eat an apple…well, that's fun. And, before you all tell me to zip it, I don't always vote Republican…yes I said it!!!
You know, I haven't had a lick of fun since I became a Christian. It's like you lose the ability to have any fun at all once you profess Jesus as Lord…
Seeing the "Jesus fish" on a billboard or ad and knowing that as a Christian, if you use that company, you can expect quality service and complete honesty and integrity over any other comparable business.
OR
PKs are trouble with a capital T, that rhymes with P and that stands for Pastor's Kid.
(As a PK and an LU alum, I look forward to reading Kevin Roose's book whether or not I win a copy.)
My first comment on SCL! I have already read this book though (my brother goes to Liberty and I read his copy) but I must say it is awesome. It's a great look at some of the funnier, stranger things that Christians do/believe/say, etc. That being said, my favorite Christian stereotypes are:
#1) If you are a Christian parent, you must name all of your kids names from the Bible, preferably all starting with the same letter – i.e. Matthew, Mark, Mary & Melchizedek Or Abigail, Abednego & Andrew (and yes, I'm talking to you Duggars!!).
Which brings me to #2) All Christians LOVE shows where the people or characters are Christians (such as, I have 285 kids and counting) regardless of whether or not we really like the characters and/or people. We just all like God so we much watch their shows and support our fellow believers.
And finally #3) When Christians take something that is "wordly" and make it "God-ly." A few of my favorites are: Instead of YouTube, we have GodTube (which is mainly links to YouTube videos). Instead of MySpace, we can hang out on YourChristianSpace.com or MyPraize.com OR (I just found this one) MyIchthus.com (really??). It'd be like seeing a blog called Stuff White People Like and then making one called Stuff Christians Like. Oh snap, no I didn't! (That one is obviously a joke btw).
christians are perfect!
ummm…i have some bad news for you…
"Christians are sheltered, and don't know what is really going on." There's a reason I'm a Christian…because I've been there and know how badly I need salvation!
I've just come to this blog, and am enjoying it immensely. In the interest of trying to enter this contest in time, I have had to skip reading all 267 comments, so forgive me if I'm repeating what others have said.
(1) Christians are so judgmental.
(2)Christians homeschool their children because they don't want them to learn swear words from kids at school.
(3) Christians are afraid of science, and knowledge in general.
(4) Christians are hypocrites.
My favorite Christian stereotype is that Christians will only engage in contact with non-Christians for the purpose of converting them.
Stereotype: Christians are more likely to post a comment if they think they will receive a free book.
Christians are not well educated and cant think for themself and somewhat simple
My favorite stereotype is that you should really name your kids after books of the Bible, prophets, or disciples, and they should be in homeschool or a Christian school. And they can only go to the Christian doctor and only watch Christian movies like Facing the Giants or Fireproof.
(As they listen to their Christian music on Godtube.com)
Christians don't get angry. If you get angry, well, then I'll just have to pray for you because you are obviously struggling in your faith. There's an anger management class right after the AA meetings on Tuesdays…
or:
How about:
Christians don't drink. Well. at least not in front of other Christians, especially Baptists! Don't want to be a stumbling block…
Oh! And:
The only reason Christians read Harry Potter is to work it into a Sunday School lesson for the youth…wizardry and witchcraft is evil. "I'm only reading it in order to stay relevant…"
Christians adamantly believe in the separation of church and state, and they prove this belief by featuring quotes from the Bible on the photographic covers of top secret briefings for the "Worldwide Intelligence Update."
I would guess my favorite stereotype is that we are all fanatical "polly-annas" who are goody-goody all the time. Uh, not at my house. LOL — we are constantly works in progress.
Christian stereotype: Christians don't dance. You know why? Because they think dancing leads to babies–BIG ONES.
I hope I'm not too late!
My favorite is that Christian women generally expect other Christian women to be susie sunshine, 24/7/365 and are either mortally offended or concerned about your spiritual well being if you're having a bad day. It might just be a Bible belt thing, but who knows.
Guess what? I'm a Christian woman, and sometimes I have an attitude problem!
I really want to read this, seeing as I'm starting classes @ LU online at the end of the month
My favorite stereotype is that if God answers your prayers that means he heard you and you are blessed, but if he does not answer mine, in the way I expect him to, then I do not have enough faith.
Once you are a Christian, all your problems will go away….
krisscop@yahoo.com
for some reason I ca'nt sign in…
That we're ignorant and hateful.
I confronted someone on my blog yesterday. It wasn't any fun. But it was a learning experience.
"If you were a *real* Christian, you'd go to a Christian college."
Said to me by my *very* Christian grandmother who of course was not ponying up said Christian college tuition.
If you believe that Christ is the only way to heaven, you are close minded and therefore a hateful person. I love that one when I hear it. My answer is that I believe what Jesus said about Himself in John 14:6. I know…crazy isn't it? Or if you believe that homosexuality is wrong then well you must hate all gay people and are so out of it. Which is so NOT true! Cause there are many other sins listed in the Bible that ARE sins too…but do I hate the people that commit them? No, because I'm a sinner too! Oh well…glad I live for an audience of One!
Woo! Kevin for including a quiz (I'm wiser than Solomon!) and "your local bookstore" as well as IndieBound.org on your "where to buy the book" list. My for-everybody bookstore will be stocking it, for sure – I can't wait to read it and tell friends about it.
BTW, there is surely a stereotype involved when I gently suggest to customers that there is a Christian bookstore in a town not so fr from mine: many of the same customers are, presumably, Christian (if I'm mentioning the other store, it's either because they are from that town, or because they've asked for a Christian book or specific Bible I don't have in stock, though I always believe in touting any and all other independent bookstores), but they make a moue and turn up their noses (at the same time: try it!). Stereotype: Christian bookstores are no fun and the staff will hound you about the state of your soul? Or is the stereotype on my end: all Christians will want to read Christian books?
@ clarkitect: your link suggests that you seem to be buying into the exact "only *one* brand of Christian is the Real Thing" stereotype that several have mentioned. In reality, Christianity is the number one religion in the world.
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
Thank You Jesus for your mercy on us & for the forgiveness of our sins.
Everyday it becomes more evident that you are the only one deserving of glory & honor.