Who does more damage to Christianity...Christians or Atheists?

Question

I was reading an article in USA today that posted this statistic:
"The vast majority of non-Christians — 91% — said Christianity had an anti-gay image, followed by 87% who said it was judgmental and 85% who said it was hypocritical.
Such views were held by smaller percentages of the active churchgoers, but the faith still did not fare well: 80% agreed with the anti-gay label, 52% said Christianity is judgmental, and 47% declared it hypocritical."

I'm wondering if maybe it would be more effective to change the views on Christianity rather than gripe about those who are not Christian. Seems when even 50% of church-goers view Christianity as judgemental...that would be a problem.

My question is "What can Christians do to change this negative viewpoint of Christianity?"
Source:http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-10-10-christians-young_N.htm

Answer 1

well, i think some Christians view the believer vs nonbeliever thing as a game to be won or lost. and it's their god who tallies up the points so they use whatever tactics they feel will make points for them with their god, not taking into consideration how their "opponent" might feel about the tactics employed against them. the ends justify the means in Fundy Christianland and in their game of spiritual one upsmanship it's winner takes all instead of a dialog between individuals.

the crude and aggressive tactics employ by Fundies alienates just about everyone but other Fundies. too bad moderate Christians don't speak out more often in defense of the more peaceful and tolerant aspects of their religion.

Answer 2

I don't find those results surprising.

"What can Christians do to change this negative viewpoint of Christianity?"
Be loving, first.
(and not immediately take "loving" people to mean being sure of knowing what's best for them, or that preaching the gospel to them is their most vital need)

Put "shoots its own wounded" into Google, and see what turns up...
The Christian church, with honourable exceptions and examples, can often be damaging and unloving.

And it isn't just a matter of "ignore the Christians, come to God and Jesus". Christianity is going to be judged on the attitude and behaviour of Christians: the body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. So it is maintained.

I'm not a believer.
I was, but now I'm told I can never have been.

Answer 3

Well, of course non-Christians would say this. Since the Bible clearly indicates that not only is the traditional marital institution the parameters for human sexuality, but that anyone who doesn't believe in Christ as their Savior is in danger of eternal condemnation. Now, wouldn't this logically be taken as a threat to a non-Christian's own conscience, and in order to appease it, wouldn't they gladly scapegoat Christians and hide behind this distorted understanding of what entails the Christian life, and those who live it? I know I would, for sure!

My question is then why hasn't USA Today also done a poll on how Christians view non-Christians image, especially around this same issue? Well, of course the answer is because USA Today is a left of center newspaper, like most are, and it recognizes secularization of American culture to be favorable, and not its Judeo-Christian roots. This is like preaching to the choir; is it not?

Answer 4

I would say it's a subset of Xians but not all of them that are to blame for this. For the most part I think the majority of Xians are normal, decent people that while they might believe in fairy tales are still generally good. The majority of my friends are Xian of one denomination or another and none of them are of the crazy variety with gawd at the centre of their lives giving the only meaning to their lives.

It's the loudmouthed, in your face, media whores out there like the Evangelicals, Born Agains and Southern Baptists that are the face of American Xianity. These are the ones that people equate with being Xian so these are the ones you really need to look at as harming rather than helping the cause.

Answer 5

Live a christian life as an example.So many non-christian see how christians live and say"I don't want to be like them".

Answer 6

Get off their high horse...and remember "Judge not, lest thee be judged"

Truth of the matter is that 99.999% of all Christians do NOT follow the teachings of Christ and mostly pay lip service to it.

Answer 7

Why would they want to change people's view? From various things posted here, it appears quite accurate.

CD

Answer 8

Christians ...