Anti-Christian prejudice is a negative categorical bias against Christians — both individually and collectively — or against Christianity as a whole. Such prejudice is a form of religious intolerance; it may be simply a mental or emotional attitude, or it may lead to stereotyping, discrimination, or even – in extreme cases – to persecution of Christians.

Prejudice versus criticism

Anti-Christian prejudice should not be confused with reasonable criticism of Christianity or its claims, at least in the sense of "criticism for which one can give a reason".

Furthermore, a legitimate, reasonable criticism of Christianity as a whole may not always be applicable to every individual Christian, nor should unjustifiable actions by any individual Christian or Christian group necessarily be taken as representative of Christianity as a whole.

Similarly, anti-Christian prejudice should not be confused with criticism of an individual Christian's own words and actions, insofar as those words and actions are themselves worthy of criticism and criticism is not directed at the individual simply on the basis of their being Christian.

Christianophobia

Christianophobia, sometimes (if ungrammatically) called christophobia, is a term used by some to describe an irrational fear or hatred of Christians, or Christianity in general.

Origins and use of the term

The term originated

In December 2004 the late Pope John Paul II argued that Christianophobia was spreading around the world and called on the UN to draft laws on Christianophobia, as it has done on Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.

The UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva now speaks of "anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Christianophobia." The use of the word Christianophobia has been proposed for use in the UN General Assembly.

Causes and effects of christianophobia in recent times

George Weigel attributes christianophobia today to a number of causes:

• The rejection of Christianity in favor of secular humanism by many European and American intellectuals in the 19th century.
• The disappointment allegedly felt by European leftists over the collapse of European communism, which many blame in part on the church;
• Pre-World War II church support for reactionary right-wing politicians, some of which would later collaborate with the Nazis – prior to the Christian Democrat movement which attempted to break from this legacy;
• Guilt by association with the political policies of the United States and the West in general, especially the "war on terror" which is perceived by some to be an imperialist war.

• Strong political statements made by controversial pastors Jerry Falwell and Fred Phelps; Christian network founder and presidential candidate Pat Robertson; singer and anti-gay rights activist Anita Bryant and some American televangelists which condemn behaviour of certain social groups and political leaders.

Other writers point to evangelization by Christians as a cause. The activity of the Christian Right is sometimes

Erratic and/or violent behavior of individuals can distort the public view of the conglomerate: individuals who try to thwart activity in abortion clinics through shootings and bombings, those who commit hate crimes, those who pilfer from organizations with intent to redirect funds to worthier causes. This violence does not represent the actions of the majority, but stand out in the public mind.

Excessive solicitation of funds from a handful of televangelists, compiled with the necessary solicitation from shows that deny advertising support, present the image of churches always asking for money.

The resulting distrust (and in extreme cases, even fear) of Christians and Christianity worldwide has led to Christians' loss of rights, property, and lives. Forty-five million, or two thirds of all Christians reportedly martyred in the last 2,000 years, were killed in the twentieth century. (The New Persecuted: Inquiries into Anti-Christian Intolerance in the New Century of Martyrs.)

Issues Concerning the American Government

Disagreement with the Christian Right is often generalized toward all Christians. Traditional Catholics and Protestant fundamentalists hold to some of these views, but the offense is applied to all Christians.

A recent trend in trying to gain influence in the culture has led to lawsuits and cases that rise to the U.S. Supreme Court. In some schools that are overzealous in attempts to maintain religious neutrality, young children have been punished for bringing books and religious jewelry to school, and for holding independent prayer meetings on school grounds.

Many people claim persecution when schoolchildren refuse to obey their teachers. Schoolchildren who do not celebrate holidays can lose credit for not participating in projects. Children not allowed to watch PG-13 movies in class might not be offered an alternative assignment. Those who want the theory of intelligent design presented alongside the theory of evolution are treated as backward. Many teachers will allow religious materials to be brought in, as the teachers themselves are not allowed to influence the children; this still can result in another parent claiming unfair dogmatic practices.

Continual resistance between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)'s decisions and Christian activists prompted the establishment of a theocratic defense organization, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). Both organizations support the rights of people of faith to practice their faith as they see fit (this, which is a reference to the "free exercise clause" of the constitution, protects religion from the government). The ACLU fights for civil liberties, which prevent government enforcement of religion because of the separation of church and state. The ACLJ does not believe that the church should remain separate from the state.

See also

• Anti-Catholicism
• Criticism of Christianity
• Evangelicalism
• Persecution of Christians
• Religious intolerance
• Separation of church and state