Why do vampires hate churches?

Answer 1

The fear of religious icon was a trait unique to Count Dracula. In life the Count was a member of the Order of the Dragon, a religious order dedicated to defending Christian Europe against the invading (Muslim) Turks. (Dracula means 'Son of the Dragon') The incidences that lead-up to him becoming a vampire turned him from the church but his devotion to Christ remained. He was therefore very conflicted over religion and as an undead vampire couldn't experience any emotional growth over the subject.

Stories of other vampires being conflicted over religion are merely plagiarizing this quirk that was Count Dracula's alone and are not to be taken as factual.

So if you are being molested by a vampire do not count of religious icons to offer you any protection.

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The answer above is incorrect. Vlad Tepes (Dracula) was never a member of the Order of the Dragon, that was his father. The elder Vlad was called "Vlad Dracul" (Vlad the Dragon) because of his membership in the order. The younger Vlad was called "Vlad Dracula" (Vlad, the Son of the Dragon) but eventually became better known as "Vlad Tepes" (Vlad the Impaler) because of his favorite form of execution.

Also, the idea of vampires being afraid of the cross is much older than Dracula. The legend of the vampire emerged in Eastern Europe which was a Christian region. The local folklore suggested that Christian symbols were the best defense against any supernatural threat. The cross, holy water, the consecrated host (communion wafer), etc. are all used effectively in the old folklore traditions. While Bram Stoker borrowed these traditions for DRACULA, they had already been in place for centuries.

In the modern era, writers and directors have made changes to this idea depending on what they wanted to do with their story. In the Universal Studios "Dracula" series of movies, the vampire is repelled by the cross. In the Hammer Studios movies even a crude cross (a pair of candlesticky held in a cross shape, for instance) is enough to work. In "The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires" a statue of a Buddha repels vampires, suggesting that the holy symbols from other religions can be effective.

In Roman Polanski's "Fearless Vampire Killers" the symbols of one religion have no effect on a vampire of a different religion, as one character learns when she tries to repel a Jewish vampire with a cross.

Through the 70s and 80s many vampire stories featured vampires who were immune to the cross. This probably reflected soceitie's changing attitudes about religion. Since the millennium, holy symbols have made a comeback. The most common version, seen in movies like VAN HELSING and TV shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" shows the cross burning vampires, though strong vampires can sometimes resist this.

The reason the cross works varies quite a bit. In older versions, the cross is imbued with holiness and purifies the body the vampiric spirit is possessing. In more recent versions (like FRIGHT NIGHT) the cross is a focus for the faith of the person holding it. If the person holding in the cross believes in Christ, it works, otherwise it is useless. Fantasy writer Randall Garrett had an interesting idea in his Lord Darcy stories. He said that the cross's shape allowed it to dispell magical energies. He contrasted this with the ankh, which was able to gather magical energies. In the RPG "Vampire: the Masquerade" only vampires who believe in the power of Christ are affected by a cross.

So, there are a variety of ideas. It all depends on which one you choose to go with.

Answer 2

In vampire lore, churches are considered holy places where spirits and evil entities are repelled. Vampires are often depicted as creatures opposed to religious symbols and objects, which weakens their power and causes discomfort or harm. This makes churches a place that is difficult for vampires to enter or remain in.

Answer 3

Im A christian Vampire And There Are Myths About Holy Water Killing People Like Me And Also Garlic And Sunlight But It Doesnt The Way To Tell if Your VAmpire IS On Vampire Website

Answer 4

Vampires are afraid of crucifixes because it is said if they look at them they will die. This is because vampires are believed to cheat death, which is dishonoring God.