questions

Why is it that so many people have such a negative view of Christians? Why is it that so many of us are so afraid to ask questions or to think for ourselves? I have to admit, that I have been and am sometimes that very person who is afraid to ask and think, but I am learning more and more each day that if I truly want to live in this relationship with Christ that I must ask questions and that I must think for myself. Thus it becomes my relationship rather then someone elses. The last thing that I ever want to do is to be the cause of someone saying, "look there is another one of those dumb Christians, that guy is just a dumb sheep, following whoever happens to be standing in front of him."