Following a section where the researchers show that the Christian faith doesn't enjoy the same favorable perceptions it did a decade ago, they write...
The primary reason outsiders feel hostile toward Christians, and especially conservative Christians, is not because of any specific theological perspective. What they react negatively to is our "swagger," how we go about things and the sense of self-importance we project. Outsiders say that Christians possess bark--and bite. Christians may not normally operate in attack mode, but it happens frequently enough that others have learned to watch their step around us. Outsiders feel they can't let Christians walk over them.
One of the surprising insights from our research is that the growing hostility toward Christians is very much a reflection of the what outsiders feel they receive from believers. They say their aggression simply matches the oversized opinions and egos of Christians. One outsider put it this way: "Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe."
Ouch.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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6 comments:
This is the stuff we won't comment on becasue we don't have a clue.
Can we get back to something easy like arguing about something we think we know about?
If I am busy bashing you, or agreeing with you, at least I feel like I am doing something, and I don't have to think about all those lost people I am irrelevant to.
It's always the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, right? I'm not saying that I'm completely innocent of this as well, but not everyone who follows Jesus acts this way. Unfortunately the ones that do are the ones people pay more attention to and base all their opinions upon.
I guess that since there's not a whole lot we can do (individually) about those big shots who make the news and get their own tv shows spouting off all this propaganda in the name of Christ, we should take it upon ourselves to live such lives among non-believers that they should have nothing evil to say against us. But if they see our faith living through us and still speak evil against us, we should know that it is better to suffer for doing what is right than to suffer as one who is guilty.
Read 1st Peter.
Let me offer two perspectives.
I think the media has more than a little bit to do with these skewed perceptions. Everytime christians are referenced in popular programs it is ussually religious extremist (cults ect..) or religious fundamentalist acitng crazy. The media loves when christians do something stupid or hypocrytical. We're told the world will hate us so there is little surprise there. I'm not saying that some of these ideas about aren't deserved. Certianly some are deserved. But some are more promoted and perpetuated rather than deserved.
Let me offer another perspective as well. As many know I spent many years as an addict who hated anything that was good. I saw christians as niave, narrow minded , goody goodies and many of the things listed in this blog entry. It had nothing to do with their actions. It had to do with my perspective. There is no way christians could have acted towards me or packaged there message that would have persuaded me to come to christ. Trust me my mother tried. I hated them because I was in darkness and they projected light.
So as someone who has walked ardently and proudly with both the world and with the church I'm not so quick to lay all the blame at the church's feet. Dark will not like light. Let's just make sure we are light and love. Then when people like the person I was are ready to accept christ we'll be there.
Great thoughts everyone. I can see how the reason for our negative image comes from many sources (the media's portrayal, the vocal extremists within our faith, the unwillingness of outsiders to give us a fair shake, etc.). But I still think we all share some of the blame. We have to guard our attitudes & behaviors towards one another, especially outsiders. The important question is if "perception is reality" than what can we do to change reality?
I like the 1st Peter answer, especially 3:15..."always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." I think we've given lots of answers, but not always with gentleness and respect.
Jon,
I'm curious. What changed your perceptions of Christianity? Was it another believer who impacted you? In what ways? I'd love to hear more of your thoughts.
"To be prepared"...we have to actually have the "Hope" Peter is talking about. The passage goes on to speak of our Lord dying for us the unrighteous. If our hope is in our righteousness...our correct interpetation and following of the rules...then you get the christian described in the post. arrogant, violent, intolerant. If our "Hope" is based on Christ being our righteousness...a gift that is free to anyone...especially sinners. Then we don't "swagger"...we will come as a suprise into someone's life and rock their world just like Christ has rocked ours. You don't swagger if someone pulls you out of the ditch and puts clothes on you that you did not pay for and gives you a job you are unqualified to do...you say "thank you" and tell the other guy in the ditch there might be someone who can help him too.
Mike
Russ,
What changed my perceptions of Christians?
Christian Love:
The love I saw from my christian parents after I hit bottom.
Accepting Christ:
For a long time I saw Christ an over bearing authority figure instead of a savior. Therefore those who followed him must be dopes or drones. I didn't like Christians because I didn't like Christ. Oddly enough when I got sain again I began to realized it was both Christ and Christians who had kept me safe. That's when I began to accept Christ and Christianity. There's an example of this in the bible. John 15:20 and 21. 20 says ... "A servant is not greater than his master. If they presecute me they will also persecute you. If they kept my word they will keep your also. But all these things they will do for my names sake" (Then he tells us why they persecute us)"because they do not know he whom sent me. " They dislike christians because they don't know God just like I did.
I do agree that we bear some of the blame. Likely if we would just practice John 15:17 (...love one another. ) we would clear up many of our PR issues and attrack more non-believers.
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