An Evangelical poll shows that most young folks (Christians & non-Christians) see Christianity unfavorably....

Question

"Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%)...

"One of the most frequent criticisms of young Christians was that they believe the church has made homosexuality a 'bigger sin' than anything else."

"A decade ago the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a "good impression" of Christianity...The ...study shows that only 3% of 16- to 29-year-old non-Christians express favorable views of evangelicals."

WHAT ARE THE BEST RESPONSES AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO REMAIN IN THE CHURCH?

(Reference: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=280 )

Answer 1

Maybe the best response is some self-examination. Instead of a marketing campaign, figure out why all these nice people have a bad impression of Christianity. Could it be that the negative feelings arise because present-day Christianity in the US is . . . judgmental? hypocritical? old-fashioned? too involved in politics? or that it has made homosexuality a bigger sin than anything else?

Hmm. Maybe the kids have a point.

Edit: Still lovin' nascar is correct, except for one thing: Move on and the other liberal groups don't claim to represent Christianity, so whatever ill will they generate will not be aimed at Christianity. The Moral Majority, the anti-abortion murderers, the homophobic legislatures, the Pat Robertsons, and the least pleasant wing of the Republican party are central in contemporary Christian life, so any ill will that comes up around them will naturally be directed at Christianity as a whole.

Answer 2

I'm Christian and here's what I think is the problem.
Back in 25 or so years ago, the religious leaders of the time created the Moral Majority.
This group of men decided what is and is not moral and decided to bring their views into the political realm. In doing so, they created an atmosphere where either you were with them or against them.
If you disagreed, you were treated as if there was something wrong with you. By sheer numbers they learned they could strong arm the government.
This breeds resentment.
The same thing is now happening to the liberal side of things ala Move On and the like.

Answer 3

The Catholic Church will invariably try to blame many of their woes on the crumbling moral fiber of society... but in truth, most of their problems stem from a perceived lack of parity in the way they have dealt with lapses in morality within their own walls.

For years, the Catholic Church has turned a blind eye towards priests caught in sexually compromising positions with young boys -- an utterly unthinkable concept. Instead of excommunicating these degenerates and cooperating with law enforcement to punish them to the fullest extent of the law, thereby sending a strong "this will not be abided" message, they've instead squandered the repeated chances they've had to build a strong moral foothold by having these men shunted from seminary to seminary.

Long story short -- if the Catholic Church wants to look into the reasons why most people view their religion unfavorably, they need look no further than a mirror.

Answer 4

I also read this study. It's interesting that by some estimates evangelical Christianity will disappear within the next 100 years. Good riddance.

Answer 5

Perhaps you should stop imposing your beliefs on others. Have you considered reclaiming your religious holidays from Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny? Have you considered changing your holidays to days of prayer and good deeds instead of extravagance and greed?
.

Answer 6

Leave the church. Not because they are viewed unfavorably, but because of why.

Answer 7

in case you need to talk with the missionaries church homes on your city help, i think you're able to come away with a diverse view. no longer purely could they inform you with regard to the artwork they do in training and drugs, yet they had additionally inform you with regard to the way Christ has notably replaced the lives of people who had in no way heard of Him. the actual question, you spot, is this: Who grew to become into Jesus Christ? grew to become into He purely yet another non secular instructor who concept He had some new religious insights to share? Or grew to become into He better than this? The Bible's answer is obvious: Jesus Christ grew to become into unique, by way of fact He on my own grew to become into God in human flesh. The Bible places it this form: "The word grew to grow to be flesh and made his living between us" (John a million:14). This instruments Jesus aside from another non secular instructor in historic previous. Why is this substantial? the reason being by technique of the fact purely a divine Savior ought to maintain us from our sins and supply us the present of eternal life. our superb want is forgiveness, "for all have sinned and fall wanting the honor of God" (Romans 3:23). and that's what Christ supplies us, for He died on the bypass to pay the completed penalty for our sins. Christ's command has in no way been withdrawn: "bypass into each and every of the international and pontificate the best information to all introduction" (Mark sixteen:15). in case you have in no way requested Christ to come back into your life, do so as we talk. Then thank God for those He has despatched to tell others approximately Christ—and ask Him to make you a missionary to those around you.

Answer 8

Things are looking up, people are finally catching on to the great hoax.

Answer 9

How sad about these young people. IF they were in a good Bible preaching church, being taught the word of God and separated from the world, then they would know how sad their views were.

Answer 10

This is very exciting news. thanks for sharing.