Christians viewed like Rent-A-Cops?

WARNING: This by no means is intended to belittle those who take their job as a rent-a-cop seriously and are doing the best that they can. It is just an analogy that plays on what I have found a common perception.

At a nearby mall around nearly every corner is a man who takes his job very seriously. His name is Mr. RAC (Rent-a-cop, or security guards for hire or something like that).


(This is a picture of a rent-a-cop threatening my friend)

I realized that there are several similarities between Rent-a-cops and the stereotypical view of Christians in our society (which is sadly true of many)

Rent-a-cops...

• Have uniforms... so do many Christians (i.e. their "pray hard" t-shirts and faith based "live strong bracelets")
• Are easy to make fun of... My friend took a cell phone picture of one and the rent-a-cop angrily responded, "I don't think it is funny to be invading people's privacy at the mall!" Just turn on the TV and you will see that Christians are very easy to make fun of (Ned Flanders?)
  
• Are experts in rules... they know the code of the mall. They keep a keen eye open for any infraction. They are particularly hard on younger people. Christians are rule keepers par excellence! Instead of loving (1 Jn 3:23) , Christians tend to like keeping track of failure, especially in young people.
  
• Aren't really that helpful... I'm not sure the last time I've seen a rent-a-cop hold the door open for a lady, carry out bags to someone's car, cleaned up a spill in the food court, etc. What if a mall was known for the amazing security people who were always helping everyone? I think sales would go up. Similarly, Christians do run to the scene in crisis (Hurricane Katrina for instance), but for everyday life few think, "I wish there were more Christians, they are so helpful!"
  
• Typically pretend to be experts in things they are not... In my experience Rent-a-cops are cop or FBI wannabes. I know that is harsh, but that is what I perceive. But you would never know it. I cannot count how many times I have seen a rent-a-cop lecturing a teenager in everything from the state law, to the First Amendment, to "what kids are like these days". Many Christians pose as experts in science, world religions and philosophy when they should really be a little wiser (James 1:19).
  

Thats it for now. There are certainly more. Rent-a-cops and Christians were stereotyped in this rant. I don't like stereotyping but I know there is something I need to learn from this.