In the last issue we mentioned the book UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity: And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons (2007), that details nonbelievers’ view of Christians. In it, Kinnaman and Lyons, with research from the Barna group, highlight the ways Christians are viewed in a negative light, especially among Americans aged sixteen to twenty-nine. The authors present research indicating that Christians are best known for the things they are against, rather than the things they are for. Six broad themes represent the most common negative perceptions found in their study. These include the views that Christians are hypocritical, too focused on getting converts, anti-homosexual, sheltered, too political, and judgmental. Many of those interviewed in the study were quick to agree that “Christianity is no longer as Jesus intended.”
To gauge the validity of such perceptions, we asked you, are Christians hypocritical?
“Yes, because when people help each other, it is done conditionally. They do it for appreciation. When people don’t get appreciation, they lose motivation. And the meaning of helping is supposed to be unconditional and asking nothing in return.”
– Chiai, 29, Ithaca, NY
“Every single human being that exists has a percentage of hypocrite…no matter what the religion is…They don’t always do what they say they’ll do.”
– Jason, 24, Hawthorne, CA
“When I first started walking with Jesus and even before, I didn’t like Christians. They were just like everyone who was not a Christian. I didn’t go out of my way to make Christian friends because I thought they were hypocrites and judgmental. I took a leap of faith, and started to make Christian friends. I found out the majority of Christians are normal. Only the small minority of Christians are legalistic, judgmental, and hypocritical. It is a flawed understanding of Christians. If people don’t get exposed to the majority, they will believe the flawed understanding of Christians.”
– Dan, 25, Lomita, CA
Next we’ll take a look at Christians being “too focused on getting converts.” Write to us and share your own thoughts, opinions and experiences regarding the Christian “convert” perception at letters@newidentitymagazine.com
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