History Main / ReligiousStereotype

Still, note that all stereotypes [[TropesAreTools are not bad]]. Just as common a stereotype is that of the Buddhist monk who literally knows everything worth knowing and helps the Hero, while another common one is the Hindu guru who is "in tune with the universe".

* Ned Flanders in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' became this over time, going from a nice guy who happened to be Christian, to being a living stereotype as WriterOnboard increasingly asserted its presence, [[{{Flanderization}} naming a trope]] in the process. And all Buddhists will be the [[PositiveDiscrimination positive]] stereotype where they're all super enlightened peaceful people with no desires and no trouble getting on with anyone ever. Lisa, the most relevant Buddhist character, is not always presented in a good light either, and Ned himself is hardly presented as a bad person (a little bit of a religious nut, but not mean or evil) and it's very popular among Christians themselves in a probably case of MisaimedFandom.

Well, your fictional character says to himself, [[FaithHeelTurn to hell with this]], I'll just be an atheist!... [[SubvertedTrope Nope]], buddy, you're still stuck. Atheists are evil in most portrayals of fiction, as {{Straw Nihilist}}s with no sense of morality, [[TheSocialDarwinist obsessed with Evolution]], hate religious people (and may even want to purge religion ala Stalin) and [[HollywoodAtheist will always have a sad backstory for being an atheist]].

* A particularly hated storyline in ''ComicBook/XMen'' had an anti-mutant group planning to have Nightcrawler elected as Pope (!) and then cause a false Rapture to ruin both The Church and mutantkind. A horrible research flub, since the Roman Catholic Church doesn't believe in the Rapture, and it certainly doesn't have any end of days prophesies about the Pope being a demon.

* Film/{{Carrie}}'s mother, Margaret White, in the movie but more pronouncedly in the book, is a psychotic religious nut who believes ''periods'' are punishments from God. It's not clear if she's a Fundamentalist with some very whacked-out views or a member of a vaguely Christian cult. Regardless, it's not the most flattering portrayal.

* This trope is the reason behind the OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions trope in science fiction and fantasy: the assumption that smart people can't be religious. BeliefMakesYouStupid is part and parcel of the same thing.

* ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'' portray religion as a CorruptChurch trying to control everything through conspiracy and believing everything they can't understand to be heresy that must be eradicated. ''No'' character affiliated to religion in any way (down to a [[PedophilePriest random priest]] in a village) is presented under a good light.

* On ''Series/TrueBlood'' the Fellowship of the Sun seems to be a compilation of every possible negative stereotype the authors could find for southerners, religion, and/or southern churches.

* The majority of Christians on ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' are depicted as conservative, hypocritical, and intolerant. Jews get much better treatment, but the most recurring Jewish character is the whiny, hypochondriac, money-obssessed Mort Goldman. And all Muslim characters are Middle Eastern terrorists.
* Ned Flanders in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' became this over time, going from a nice guy who happened to be Christian, to being a living stereotype as WriterOnboard increasingly asserted its presence, [[{{Flanderization}} naming a trope]] in the process. And all Buddhists will be the Positive stereotype where their all super enlightened peaceful people with no desires and no trouble getting on with anyone ever. Lisa, the most relevant Buddhist character, is not always presented in a good light either, and Ned himself is hardly presented as a bad person (a little bit of a religious nut, but not mean or evil) and it's very popular among Christians themselves in a probably case of MisaimedFandom.

** ''Literature/TheRegulators'', an alternate-universe companion to ''Literature/{{Desperation}}'', does feature a fundamentalist neighbor. When the neighbor's son steals Seth's toy, there is evidence that the child was beaten for "giving in to the tempting voice of Satan." The neighbor is then willing to let Seth's aunt Audrey spank him too. But when Audrey merely wants him to say "I was wrong, I'm sorry, and I won't do it again," he protests that this is browbeating.

* Muslims in ''Literature/{{Caliphate}}'' are all depicted as cruel, violent, misogynistic, perverted, and religiously intolerant.

Well, your fictional character says to himself, [[FaithHeelTurn to hell with this]], I'll just be an atheist!... [[SubvertedTrope Nope]], buddy, you're still stuck. Atheists are evil in most portrayals of fiction, as {{Straw Nihilist}}s with no sense of morality, hate religious people (and may even want to purge religion ala Stalin) and [[HollywoodAtheist will always have a sad backstory for being an atheist]].

And it doesn't get any better when you leave Christianity, oh no! As we all know, If you're a Muslim, then you're a [[SuicideAttack terrorist]] - or if female, completely wrapped in a burqa because any form of skin exposure is [[SexIsEvil evil]]. Jews will probably be... well, many times Jews will be found [[InformedJudaism where you least expect it in your characters]], but to be a real stereotype, expect them to be [[JewishAndNerdy nerds]] [[AllJewsAreCheapskates with a phobia on spending]]. More generally, though, Jews will get assigned the [[PositiveDiscrimination more positive (or at least funnier) stereotypes]] these days rather than [[GreedyJew the awful negative stereotypes of the past]].

Well, your fictional character says to himself, [[FaithHeelTurn to hell with this]], I'll just be an atheist!... [[SubvertedTrope Nope]], buddy, you're still stuck. Atheists are evil in most portrayals of fiction,as {{Straw Nihilist}}s with no sense of morality, hate religious people (and may even want to purge religion ala Stalin) and [[HollywoodAtheist will always have a sad backstory for being an atheist]].

The most obvious and prominent example is the CorruptChurch, which involves portraying all clergymen, especially Christian ones, as sanctimonious fanatics and/or hypocrites. When '''Religious Stereotype''' is in full effect in a work of fiction, expect all Protestants to be [[WesternTerrorists fundamentalists]]- don't bring that civil rights movement crap here! All Catholic priests will all have hidden sexual doings, which will make one wonder how the Church functions if all its priests are, safe to say, ''busy''. {{Pedophil|e Priest}}ia, in particular, is a popular activity among Catholic priests in fiction.

And it doesn't get any better when you leave Christianity, oh no! Jews will probably be... well, many times Jews will be found [[InformedJudaism where you least expect it in your characters]], but to be a real stereotype, expect them to lament their lots in life (and do well in Broadway musicals). More generally, though, Jews will get assigned the [[PositiveDiscrimination more positive (or at least funnier) stereotypes]] these days rather than [[GreedyJew the awful negative stereotypes of the past]]. If they are Muslims expect them to be, ''at best'', super conservative and arrogant towards women, while at worst all Muslims know UsefulNotes/OsamaBinLaden's phone number and hang out with him on [[VillainsOutShopping Fridays]]. [[SocietyMarchesOn (Prior to May 2011, that is.)]]

Well, your fictional character says to himself, [[FaithHeelTurn to hell with this]], I'll just be an atheist!... [[SubvertedTrope Nope]], buddy, you're still stuck. Atheists are evil in most portrayals of fiction, hate religious people (and may even want to purge religion ala Stalin), [[HollywoodAtheist always have a sad backstory for being an atheist]], and are usually a NietzscheWannabe. That's assuming they don't just become a {{smug|Snake}} {{Jerkass}}.

* Similar to the ''Literature/{{Caliphate}}'' example above, Muslims in ''Literature/InTheYear2050AmericasReligiousCivilWar'' Muslims apparently live only to oppress and murder non-Muslims, as even after they secure Congress, the Presidency, and a majority of the population of the US, there are still weekly suicide bombings President [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Osama bin Muhammed]] needs to call off to trick the infidels into believing Islam is a peaceful, friendly religion, while imposing brutal Sharia law.

* ''Film/{{Carrie}}'' 's mother, Margaret White, in the movie but more pronouncedly in the book, is a psychotic religious nut who believes ''periods'' are punishments from God. It's not clear if she's a Fundamentalist with some very whacked-out views or a member of a vaguely Christian cult. Regardless, it's not the most flattering portrayal.

* ''Film/{{Carrie}}'' 's mother, Margaret White, in the movie but more pronouncedly in the book, is a psychotic religious nut who believes ''periods'' are punishments from God. It's not clear if she's a Fundamentalist with some very whacked-out views or the member of a vaguely Christian cult. Regardless, it's not the most flattering portrayal.
* Mrs.Carmody from ''Film/TheMist'' screams this. Not hard to tell what Creator/StephenKing thinks of certain religious types.

And it doesn't get any better when you leave Christianity, oh no! Jews will probably be... well, many times Jews will be found [[InformedJudaism where you least expect it in your characters]], but to be a real stereotype, expect them to lament their lots in life (and do well in Broadway musicals). More generally, though, Jews will get assigned the [[PositiveDiscrimination more positive (or at least funnier) stereotypes]] these days rather than [[GreedyJew the awful negative stereotypes of the past]]. If they are Muslims expect them to be, ''at best'', super conservative and arrogant towards women, while at worst all Muslims know OsamaBinLaden's phone number and hang out with him on [[VillainsOutShopping Fridays]]. [[SocietyMarchesOn (Prior to May 2011, that is.)]]

The most obvious and prominent example is the CorruptChurch, which involves portraying all clergymen, especially Christian ones, as sanctimonious fanatics and/or hypocrites. When ReligiousStereotype is in full effect in a work of fiction, expect all Protestants to be [[WesternTerrorists fundamentalists]]- don't bring that civil rights movement crap here! All Catholic priests will all have hidden sexual doings, which will make one wonder how the Church functions if all its priests are, safe to say, ''busy''. {{Pedophil|e Priest}}ia, in particular, is a popular activity among Catholic priests in fiction.

And it doesn't get any better when you leave Christianity, oh no! Jews will probably be... well, many times Jews will be found [[InformedJudaism where you least expect it in your characters,]] but to be a real stereotype, expect them to lament their lots in life (and do well in Broadway musicals). More generally, though, Jews will get assigned the [[PositiveDiscrimination more positive (or at least funnier) stereotypes]] these days rather than [[GreedyJew the awful negative stereotypes of the past]]. If they are Muslims expect them to be, ''at best'', super conservative and arrogant towards women, while at worst all Muslims know OsamaBinLaden's phone number and hang out with him on [[VillainsOutShopping Fridays]]. [[SocietyMarchesOn (Prior to May 2011, that is.)]]

If a negative stereotype was created just to make the hero look good, or the Creator's views seem right, then it is a [[TheWarOnStraw Strawman]]. See also ChristianityIsCatholic, and any of the UsefulNotes series on the religions for what the religion is ''actually'' like. See also [[CorruptChurch evil religions]], [[SaintlyChurch good religions]], HeelFaithTurn... ah, just go check out the ReligionTropes. ReligiousStereotype is a part and parcel of ''all'' of them.

** Similarly, an earlier X-Men graphic novel (''ComicBook/GodLovesManKills'') also had a fundamentalist persecute mutants. Ironic in that the villain of the story was later used in the second X-Men movie, but as a military leader. It's not quite as extreme an example as most, as the bigoted fanaticism of Stryker was contrasted with the benevolent devoutness of Nightcrawler and others, and the story ends with his own followers turning against him when he crosses the MoralEventHorizon.

* Creator/StephenKing has indulged in this in just about every novel he's ever written; you can pretty much always expect at least one nasty (at best) or psychotic (at worst) fundamentalist Protestant character, who often doubles as the "overbearing parent", without any more positive examples to provide a contrast. To be fair, though, he averts this quite heavily in ''Literature/{{Desperation}}'', ''Literature/TheStand'', and ''Literature/{{Cell}}''. It does have that crazy bible lady at one point, but Alice averts this. King himself has said he believes in God.
** Also of note is Father Callahan, who becomes one of the most sympathetic and, ultimately, heroic characters of ''Franchise/TheDarkTower.''

* Ned Flanders in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' became this over time, going from a nice guy who happened to be Christian, to being a living stereotype as WriterOnboard increasingly asserted its presence, [[{{Flanderization}} naming a trope]] in the process. And all Buddhists will be the Positive stereotype where their all super enlightened peaceful people with no desires and no trouble getting on with anyone ever.
** To be fair, Lisa, the most relevant Buddhist character, is not always presented in a good light in every single episode, and Ned himself is hardly presented as a bad person (a little bit of a religious nut, but not mean or evil) and it's very popular among Christians themselves in a probably case of MisaimedFandom.

And it doesn't get any better when you leave Christianity, oh no! Jews will probably be... well, many times Jews will be found [[InformedJudaism where you least expect it in your characters,]] but to be a real stereotype, expect them to lament their lots in life (and do well in Broadway musicals). More generally, though, Jews will get assigned the [[PositiveDiscrimination more positive (or at least funnier) stereotypes]]. If they are Muslims expect them to be, ''at best'', super conservative and arrogant towards women, while at worst all Muslims know OsamaBinLaden's phone number and hang out with him on [[VillainsOutShopping Fridays]]. [[SocietyMarchesOn (Prior to May 2011, that is.)]]

Well, your fictional character says to himself, [[FaithHeelTurn to hell with this]], I'll just be an atheist!... [[SubvertedTrope Nope]], buddy, you're still stuck. Atheists are evil in most portrayals of fiction, [[HollywoodAtheist always have a sad backstory for being an atheist]], and are usually a NietzscheWannabe. That's assuming they don't just become a {{smug|Snake}} {{Jerkass}}.

** To be fair, Lisa, the most relevant Buddhist character, is not always presented in a good light in every single episode, and Ned himself is hardly a presented as a bad person (a little bit of a religious nut, but not mean or evil) and it's very popular among Christian themselves in a probably case of MisaimedFandom.

* A particularly hated storyline in ''ComicBook/XMen'' had an anti-mutant group planning to have Nightcrawler elected as Pope (!) and then cause a false Rapture to ruin both The Church and mutantkind. A horrible research flub.[[note]]For those unaware, the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, which doesn't believe in the Rapture.[[/note]]
** Similarly, an earlier X-Men graphic novel (''ComicBook/GodLovesManKills'') also had a fundamentalist persecute mutants. Ironic in that the villain of the story was later used in the second X-Men movie, but as a military leader.
*** However, in that one (and to a lesser-- ''much'' lesser-- extent, the former as well), the bigoted fanaticism of Stryker was contrasted with the benevolent devoutness of Nightcrawler and others, and the story ends with his own followers turning against him when he crosses the MoralEventHorizon. The story is fairly balanced as far as this trope goes.

* ''Film/{{Carrie}}'' 's mother, Margaret White, in the movie but more pronouncedly in the book, is a psychotic religious nut who believes ''periods'' are punishments from God.

* Seymour of ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'' is definitely a caricature of the stereotypical evangelical Christan.
** Lil' Evil could also count, as your average evil Satanist stereotype.
*** CharacterizationMarchesOn for both, though...

* The majority of Christians on ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' are depicted as conservative, hypocritical, and intolerant.

* ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'' portray religion as a CorruptChurch trying to control everything through conspiracy and believing everything they can't understand to be heresy that must be eradicated. ''No'' character affiliated to religion in any way (down to a random priest in a village) is presented under a good light.

* A particularly hated storyline in ''Comicbook/XMen'' had an anti-mutant group planning to have Nightcrawler elected as Pope (!) and then cause a false Rapture to ruin both The Church and mutantkind. A horrible research flub.[[note]]For those unaware, the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, which doesn't believe in the Rapture.[[/note]]
** Similarly, an earlier X-Men graphic novel ("GodLovesManKills") also had a fundamentalist persecute mutants. Ironic in that the villain of the story was later used in the second X-Men movie, but as a military leader.

* Creator/GarthEnnis indulges in this from time to time, most notably ''{{Preacher}}''.

[[folder:Film]]

* Ned Flanders in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' became this over time, going from a nice guy who happened to be Christian, to being a living sterotype as WriterOnboard increasingly asserted its presence, [[{{Flanderization}} naming a trope]] in the process. And all Bhuddists will be the Postive sterotype where their all super enlightened peaceful people with no desires and no trouble getting on with anyone ever.

* A particularly hated storyline in ''Comicbook/{{X-Men}}'' had an anti-mutant group planning to have Nightcrawler elected as Pope (!) and then cause a false Rapture to ruin both The Church and mutantkind. A horrible research flub.[[note]]For those unaware, the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, which doesn't believe in the Rapture.[[/note]]

* GarthEnnis indulges in this from time to time, most notably ''{{Preacher}}''.

* ''{{Carrie}}'' 's mother, Margaret White, in the movie but more pronouncedly in the book, is a psychotic religious nut who believes ''periods'' are punishments from God.
** Steven King seems to love this trope. Mrs.Carmody from ''TheMist'' screams this. Not hard to tell what King thinks of certain religious types.

* Creator/StephenKing has indulged in this in just about every novel he's ever written; you can pretty much always expect at least one nasty (at best) or psychotic (at worst) fundamentalist Protestant character, who often doubles as the "overbearing parent", without any more positive examples to provide a contrast. To be fair, though, he averts this quite heavily in ''Literature/{{Desperation}}'', ''TheStand'', and ''Literature/{{Cell}}''. It does have that crazy bible lady at one point, but Alice averts this. King himself has said he believes in God.

* ''HisDarkMaterials'' portray religion as a CorruptChurch trying to control everything through conspiracy and believing everything they can't understand to be heresy that must be eradicated. ''No'' character affiliated to religion in any way (down to a random priest in a village) is presented under a good light.

* Played with on an episode of ''{{Bones}}'' where an intern to the Jeffersonian is discovered to be faking a thick accent to avoid annoying questions about being both a devout Muslim and a highly educated man.
* Played straight and averted on an episode of ''VeronicaMars'' where Veronica's investigation involves the conservative preacher father of a friend. The preacher's assistant fits the fundie stereotype to a T [[spoiler: as well as being the villain of the episode]]. On the other hand the friend's father turns out to be both honest and compassionate.
* On ''TrueBlood'' the Fellowship of the Sun seems to be a compilation of every possible negative stereotype the authors could find for southerners, religion, and/or southern churches.
* On Series/BigBangTheory, Sheldon's mother embodies every stereotype of a born-again evangelical Christian. And redneck.

* Averted in ''Everyday Heroes'' with Carrie Pelosi who, although quite devout, is the type of Christian who believes in teaching by example rather than preaching.

* Ned Flanders in TheSimpsons became this over time, going from a nice guy who happened to be Christian, to being a living sterotype as WriterOnboard increasingly asserted its presence, [[{{Flanderization}} naming a trope]] in the process. And all Bhuddists will be the Postive sterotype where their all super enlightened peaceful people with no desires and no trouble getting on with anyone ever.

* AWolfInTheSoul presents barely-religious Jews as leading somewhat meaningless and hypocritical existences.