A 2025 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that although approximately 62% of Americans would consider themselves Christians, there are a lot of individuals with widespread misconceptions about what it is and its history. These myths have the potential to create barriers and misunderstandings.
Now, let us clear the air and get down to the point. This piece will address 13 unresolved myths.
Christianity is a “Western” religion
Most people believe that Christianity is primarily a European and American religion, but the figures speak otherwise. According to the current statistics released by the Pew Research Center, the largest Christian groups are currently in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Christianity was indeed based in the Middle East rather than in Europe.
It spread across continents and evolved into a global religion. The Christians are not only in the Western world, but there are even more who are out of it today. This demonstrates that this religion is universal and has diverse cultural manifestations.
The Bible is just a collection of old stories
We can easily dismiss the Bible as a book of fables that have nothing to do with each other, but to a believer, it is far more. Christians consider the Bible to be a holy and unified collection of books written throughout the centuries.
Such books contain historical records, profound teachings on morals, poetry, and prophecies. An example is that archaeological discoveries have tended to support places and events mentioned in the scriptures, lending them a historical substance. Believers perceive it as a guide of authority that enlightens people about the character of God and his plan for humanity.
Christians can’t have doubts
One of the most widespread myths is that real Christians have to have unquestioning faith and never question anything. The skepticism, however, is a regular and even fruitful stage of the spiritual path. Several characters in the Bible, such as Thomas and even John the Baptist, showed great scepticism.
A 2023 study by the Barna Group found that most young Christians believe they can express their questions and doubts within their faith communities. Doubt enables one to have a deeper and more intimate interpretation of beliefs.
One person wrote the Bible
The misconception that one writer authored the whole bible is a common misconception. The Bible, in fact, is a compilation of writings by over 40 authors spanning approximately 1,500 years. These authors belonged to diverse classes, including prophets, kings, fishermen, and scholars.
For example, the first five books are commonly attributed to Moses, while the Apostle Paul is credited as the author of numerous letters within the New Testament. The variety of writers is one of the factors that make the biblical text rich and complex.
Christianity condones violence
There are dark stages in history, such as the Crusades or the Inquisition, when the violence was perpetrated by people who considered themselves Christians. Nevertheless, these behaviors are the direct opposite of the main lessons of Jesus. His speeches were always filled with peace, love for his adversaries, forgiveness, and a call for reconciliation.
An analysis by the Institute for Economics and Peace on the power of pro-social religious teachings as a driver of peace observes that such doctrines are strong motivators. The essence of Christian doctrine focuses on calling followers to peace-making, not as aggressors.
The church is full of hypocrites
Christians get accused of being hypocrites regularly, and not all followers of Christianity live by their principles. The faith itself recognizes this reality of human beings. The Christian doctrine emphasizes that all people are sinners and in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.
Many churchgoers have been labeled a hospital of sinners and not a museum of saints. Thus, it is not the fact that Christians are imperfect that nullifies their faith, but rather the reason we need the redemption provided.
You must be perfect to be a Christian
Some people believe that to become a Christian, one needs to attain moral perfection. This is contrary to Christian teachings. The central theme of the religion is that every man is a sinner and cannot measure up to the expectations of God.
Salvation is shown as a gift of the grace of God, which is attained with faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good deeds are considered a grateful response to this gift, but not a means to obtain it.
Jesus was just a good teacher
It is often done to give credit to Jesus without having to deal with the more problematic assertions, such as calling him a wise man or a great moral teacher. Although he was, without a doubt, a brilliant teacher, Christians believe he was much more than that.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly states that he is the Son of God and the sole means of salvation. He could pardon sins and took worship, which was reserved for God alone. This is the central assumption that distinguishes Christianity from other philosophies and religions, namely, its belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Christianity is against science
The myth about a war between science and Christianity is popular and wrong. Many of the founders of the Scientific Revolution were strict Christians, including Isaac Newton and Francis Bacon. They regarded their scientific activity as a means of gaining a deeper understanding of God’s creation.
According to Research Gate, a substantial proportion of scientists identify as religious and do not perceive a conflict between their faith and their profession.
Emperor Constantine invented Christianity
There is another myth that Christianity was invented or essentially transformed by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. Although Christianity was legalized and persecution ceased with the Edict of Milan, signed by Constantine in 313 AD, the religion had already become fully organized by that time.
There were core Christian beliefs, sacred texts, and church structures that had existed before his reign. Constantine played a pivotal political role, providing Christianity with a special position within the empire, but he did not create its theology.
All Christians believe the same thing
Christianity is not a monotheistic religion. It encompasses various denominations, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, each with its unique practices and some divergent beliefs.
The World Council of Churches highlights the immense diversity of the global Christian family. Regardless of these differences, all the significant branches possess key principles, one of which is faith in the Trinity, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christianity is often described as a “works-based” religion
According to this myth, Christians believe that they must perform good deeds to gain entry into heaven. Nevertheless, one of the fundamental tenets of Protestant Christianity is the doctrine of grace by faith alone.
This teaching suggests that good works are the natural and anticipated result of a genuine faith, rather than a means of purchasing salvation. It is a thank-you note for a gift that has already been received, and not a payment for a prize to be won.
The Bible condones slavery
The bible has sections that govern the exercise of slavery in the ancient world, which some understand as an approval. Nevertheless, one should read these texts in their historical context. The servitude form mentioned was sometimes grossly different from the chattel slavery that came in the later centuries.
Moreover, general biblical motifs, such as love, justice, and the inherent dignity of all people created in the image of God, encouraged the abolitionist movements that ultimately led to the worldwide abolition of slavery.
Key takeaway
Many widely held notions about Christianity are based on misconceptions regarding its history and core teachings. The religion is international and multifaceted, with its origins not in the West but in the Middle East. The writing it has is not mere tales and twins, but a complicated dossier of books.
Christianity acknowledges the imperfection and uncertainty inherent in humans, and its message is one of grace rather than perfection. It has an intellectual tradition that is not necessarily incompatible with science. The myths help provide a complete picture of Christianity, which is less idealistic and more realistic.
Want to learn more about faith and its role in the contemporary world? Explore more about these issues and find a spiritual path that accepts doubts and offers some rewarding answers.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Don’t Swipe Until You Read This: The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
There’s this moment that sticks with me—standing at a checkout line, swiping my old card like I always did, and thinking, “Wait… why am I not getting anything back for this?” I wasn’t traveling on points. I wasn’t getting cash back. I was spending. Sound familiar?
Look, the truth is, credit cards can work for you—if you choose the right one. And in 2025, you’ve got some advantageous options that can actually boost your bank account. From travel lovers to grocery haulers, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s break down the best credit cards out there this year—the ones that actually give back.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the same things I always do, but my bill keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
