On a visit to preach in Connecticut in 2001, evangelist Luis Palau gave this qoute to Adam Barnes of the New York Times:
"New England is a tough place. They tend to keep to themselves. Atheism, or at least agnosticism, has a tremendous foothold here. In New England, when you say 'Christian' they think 'those maniacs on the right'. I feel a challenge in Connecticut."
I find his statement about Connecticut interesting as according to a Polis Center pie chart done in the same year, Connecticut at that time was 62.6% Catholic with the next largest group at 8% was termed as Historically African American Protestant.
Please share your thoughts on the quote.
2007-08-23 11:18:39 · 8 answers · asked by genaddt 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's an example of the Christian's persecution complex. Even when they are the overwhelming majority, they still think everyone is out to get them.
2007-08-23 11:24:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the best thing would be to ask Mr. Palau for clarification if you need it. I do not know the context in which he was speaking at the time. Context is important!
God bless you.
Barbara, thank you for taking the time to email me the information. I see that someone named Adam Bowles from the Connecticut section of the New York Times supplied this quote to the publication you sent me. Again it seems to me there may have been more to the original quote than was printed. This is often the case. Again, check with the source. I am not saying that Luis Palau is incapable of making a mistake. I am just saying that what ended up in print may not accurately portray the intent.
Journalists have to fit their stories into the limited space they are given. Sometimes they innocently edit sentences out for the sake of space. What may not seem important to them at the time can end up being crucial to the intent and context of the quote within the story.
Maybe I am missing your point all together. Are you saying that the Polis Center pie chart is wrong? If you are, I guess that is as much a possibility as anything. Have you checked out their data gathering and compilation practices and procedures? How did they arrive at their percentages?
2007-08-23 18:33:08 · answer #2 · answered by the sower 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Going to church doesn't make a Christian. There are a lot of wonderful churches in that area. But how empty inside are they, and how many people go to church every Sunday.
I think is the same thing that is happening in the Bible Belt as well. I think taking on the name Christian makes people feel better about themselves. It is when you take up that cross and follow Christ that the tire meets the road. And many don't want to take that step of faith, it is a tough one.
2007-08-23 18:28:28 · answer #3 · answered by Kathy H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 items for you
1) I live in CT... what do you know of me? not that a sample of one is statistically significant.
2) I think Palau is an ear-tickler. To use a 'christian' term.
edit---
I consider myself an agnostic theist...
Yes, all of New England is that way.
And I don't think that highly of Mr. Palau... he seems too much into the "emerging church movement" with I feel is the great apostasy redux.
2007-08-23 18:25:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps Palau is the type of fellow who sees an Atheist or at least an Agnostic behind every rock.
I think that smells like pot and zombie are correct.
2007-08-23 18:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by miteshdasa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically, he meant it would be a challenge to convert Connecticut's Christians into right-wing lunatics.
2007-08-23 18:24:51 · answer #6 · answered by Zombie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts on that quote are that I should pack up and move to New England. I would be very happy there amongst my peers it seems.
2007-08-23 18:23:57 · answer #7 · answered by Blame Amy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a poor excuse for poor performance.
In show-biz they would have said he "died" there.
2007-08-23 18:58:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋