Young Americans today are more skeptical and resistant to Christianity than were people of the same age just a decade ago, says a new study.
Negative perceptions toward the Christian faith have outweighed the positive as a growing percentage of younger Americans associate with a faith outside Christianity.
Only 16 percent of non-Christians aged 16 to 29 years old said they have a "good impression" of Christianity, according to a report released Monday by The Barna Group. A decade ago, the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society,
Young people have an even lesser positive impression of evangelicals. Only 3 percent of 16- to 29-year-olds who are not of the Christian faith express favorable views of evangelicals. In the previous generation, 25 percent of young people had positive associations toward evangelicals.
"[Evangelicals] have always been viewed with skepticism in the broader culture," said the Barna report. "However, those negative views are crystallizing and intensifying among young non-Christians."
Common negative perceptions among non-Christians is that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87 percent), hypocritical (85 percent), old-fashioned (78 percent), and too involved in politics (75 percent).
For the most part, Christians are aware of the greater degree of criticism toward Christianity. According to the study, 91 percent of the nation's evangelicals believe that "Americans are becoming more hostile and negative toward Christianity."
Half of senior pastors say that "ministry is more difficult than ever before because people are increasingly hostile and negative toward Christianity."
There were also some widely held favorable perceptions toward Christianity including beliefs that Christianity teaches the same basic ideas as other religions (82 percent), has good values and principles (76 percent), is friendly (71 percent), and is a faith they respect (55 percent).
Criticism, however, was not limited to young people outside the Christian faith. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical and too political. Also, one-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
Moreover, the study showed a new image attached to the Christian faith that is growing in prominence over the last decade. Overall, 91 percent of young non-Christians and 80 percent of young churchgoers say present-day Christianity is "anti-homosexual."
"As the research probed this perception, non-Christians and Christians explained that beyond their recognition that Christians oppose homosexuality, they believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians," the Barna report stated.
Young Christians largely criticize the church, saying it has made homosexuality a "bigger sin" than anything else and that the church has not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians.
Among other common impressions, 23 percent of young non-Christians said "Christianity is changed from what it used to be" and "Christianity in today's society no longer looks like Jesus." Young born-again Christians were just as likely to say the same (22 percent).
"That’s where the term 'unChristian' came from," said David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group who presents the findings in his new book unChristian. "Young people are very candid. In our interviews, we kept encountering young people – both those inside the church and outside of it - who said that something was broken in the present-day expression of Christianity. Their perceptions about Christianity were not always accurate, but what surprised me was not only the severity of their frustration with Christians, but also how frequently young born again Christians expressed some of the very same comments as young non-Christians." Continue >>
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when jesus left he said to love the father , and to love your neighbor, ther were no restrictions.
jeses came to redeme us and he died to forgive us of our sin this is what the Bible teaches us, God has given us the choics and the ability to follow him or not , to belive that his word, and his way is truth.
jesus said that if you go into A town and they refuse you to dust off your feet and move on.
we are not the judge, God is! I lived the gay lifestyle until I was 39, I belived that washow I was born, so I went with it.
It wasn't until I excepted jesus as Lord that my eyes were opened up to the truth, when you are born into A sinful nature sin is natural, when you are born again then the sin is exposed.
we all need to stop trying to force people to be something we think they should or should not be.
be about God business share the good news andwhen they accept Gods grace and mercy, allow God to change them.
we are called to love, and reach out.
when you know the truth then you will be FREE.
PEACE.
The problem with christians today is that they have abandon true faith in christ, We as christians are so busey pointing out where everyone is wrong that we forgot to show love to the world, we have become judges rather than forgivers who lead with charity and truth, We need to learn what the gosple means before teaching it. One must let christ live in him somuch that one is truky dead to self." It is not i but christ who lives in me" When christ lives and you die you will have good conscious with god, It is not the easy answer that churches teach, but the hard road that was suggested by the apostles, A total comitment to christ and his comandments and complete desetion of ones self, When we do this then christ living through us in his perfact love and patience will set us apart from the word making us the testimony to the world. Until christians learn this and live it the world will never see truth and christianity will be critisized by even those who are seeking christ. Let the church return to christ and christ will bless our efforts, In his love i speak,
Passage 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (new living translation)
Forever_Doomed: why are you looking for the term that wasn't around back then. As for a ref: Romans 1:26,27. Also this is a basic principle in which God commanded us to be fruitful and multiply. if your the same sex how is that possible
sophanse: The term atheist is confusing to me because everyone on this earth has faith in something. regardless what they say. whether its faith in themselves or fellow man. So for one to say they dont have faith in anyone or thing is a lie. i think ppl say that moreso for an excuse so they cant be held accountable for anything they do. Meaning if i say i dont believe in the word of god, you cant correct or at least it would be difficult to do so.
I don't know how much this research is relevant. But I am stuck by the word "atheists". Does this word refer to non-Christian believers or no-existent God believers?
Why is it is necessary to call some one else atheist or agnostics? American's value is egalitarianism in which tends to promote pluralism and equality.
So, I think it is not appropriate to differentiate people through their religions or ways of living by calling them atheists or agnostics.
Sophan
"Wiccan: As Christians, we believe in a Biblical worldview, and according to God's Word, there would be clear signs of the beginnning of end times, a time of escalated violence, the love of many would grow cold, and men would become lovers of themselves, rather than lovers of God! This is all prophecy unfolding in our time."
My point is also, this claim has been going on for centuries, "it's unfolding in our time." When I was a born-again Christian, they used different "proof," but the rally cry was the same. And so it will be in the next generation.
I don't believe this article proves anything. It makes broad brush, sweeping arguments without presenting context.
Christians have always been accused of being "judgemental." That is what happens when sin is exposed for what it is. The purpose is not to hold this over people but to bring them to repentance and faith in Christ.
FYI. Homosexuality is sin but it is not unforgivable.
ok so everything in this world has problems. the church is bein called out and bein called bigoted and w/e else. and in some places this is true but not in all. people constantly refer to homosexuality as a sin but not yet have i seen the actual proof that it is. people constantly refer to the bible as their source of reference but, while i have not read the whole thing, each time i've seen these quotes no where does it say out right that homsexuality is a sin. that is wat people percieve it to be but it is not shown as the truth just wat evangelicals and other close minded christans want people to believe. no one ever asked you to change your beliefs. no one ever told you that you were wrong. and while i may be wrong if these people have done this it is because they cannot accept someone and their beliefs. they are choosing to force their beliefs on others w/o caring wat people actually believe. thats wat is happening in the church the beliefs of some ministers, evangelicals, and pastors are being forced on others as true. and people choose to follow these beliefs and accept them as true. all a person needs in their life is their family and God. you do not need a church to tell you wat is wrong and wat is right. read the bible and pray for understanding and stand by your beliefs but don't press your beliefs on others. Just follow the bible and your understanding of it and then pray to God for guidance and forgiveness for watever sins you commit along the way and change yourself and sin no more.
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ANYONE CAN GIVE MONEY AND THAT IS GREAT. YOU CAN SUPPORT MANY CAUSES IN THIS LIFE AND MONEY IS A WONDERFUL TOOL THAT CAN BE USED TO DO MANY THINGS.
THO YOU GIVE YOUR BODY TO BE BURNED AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, WHAT GOOD IS IT.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:3
UNTIL YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED CRISIS OR POVERTY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ONE FEELS. THE FALTER AND DEVASTATION IS BEYOND ANYTHING ONE CAN IMAGINE.
THIS IS NOT JUST SOME GOOD IDEA I DREAMED UP, NO! NO! I LITERALLY HAD A VISION. I WILL SAY A FEW WORDS HERE ABOUT THAT DREAM OR VISION WHICHEVER YOU PREFER.
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ISOME OF THEM WOULD ACCEPT ME, THEY WOULD LISTEN TO WHAT I WAS SAYING. OTHERS WERE MEAN AND HATEFUL, HARSH.
MANY WERE REACHING FOR MY CLOTHES, HUNGRY, SICK, FRAIL LOOKING, DIRTY, BEGGARS, POOR, POVERTY- STRICKEN. WHEN I LOOKED, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE DROPPING LIKE FLIES.
WHAT I KNOW, IS HERE IN AMERICA, WE ARE A BLESSED, BLESSED NATION. THERE IS SO MUCH FOOD, FREEDOM OF CHOICE, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL TO "GOD" FOR. WE ARE LIVING IN AMERICA.
TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED. LUKE 12:48.
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abhodim: Consider yourselves lucky that people still use jesus as a moral measuring standard, and that they want to so much that they interpret his "teachings" to support gay rights. Christianity will really be in trouble on the day when people decide that they don't need their morality to come out of the mouth of a character in 2000 year old middle eastern myths.
This article states (Quote) present day Christianity is "anti-homosexual." Another article in the CP speaks of the Folsom Street Fair, where it is evident that homosexuality is "anti-Christianity." Very confusing, if inaccurate in both directions.
If Christianity is a modifiable set of teachings (which it isn't), then it could fare well in any surveys. But consistent teaching and explaining the Scriptures as they read will not allow this to be. If the secular world desires the Christian faith to be mol;dable and changing, then we would have the situation of the itching ears that Paul speaks of in 2 Tim. 4: 3, 4.
A thought to consider.
People stop buying what they are selling, and many Christians decide its the end of the world. The world didn't end because Zoroastrianism is small and marginalized, or because few take the Greek Gods seriously any more. To all of you who are preparing for armageddon: get over yourselves.
I think I’m a fairly typical non-believer, in that I have lived most of my life ignoring the religious, and just not paying any attention to what went on in religious circles for most of the last fifty years. I toiled in the computer industry, raised two kids, owned homes, gave to charity, stayed out of trouble, and was pretty much an ordinary American.
A lifelong Republican, I voted for Bush twice (the second time ‘cause I couldn’t vote for someone I believed to be a traitor), and supported many Republican candidates over the years. I served my country in Vietnam, and was proud to do it, at the time.
A year or two after 9/11, someone gave me a copy of “End of Faith,” by Sam Harris. Boy, what an eye-opener! While I had been asleep, along with much of America, the Christian right had made great strides in their effort to subvert our secular constitution, and replace it with the laws, science and moral structure of the dark ages. Creationism, along with other superstitions, was creeping into our public schools, usually in the guise of ID, or some other foolishness. Attempts were being made in congress to pass legislation that would make it impossible for ordinary Americans to use the courts to enforce provisions of the Bill of Rights. Sound science was being ignored, watered down, or contradicted by the administration, in the name of god.
It was obvious to anyone that the leaders of this extreme Christian movement were aiming for nothing less than turning this country into some kind of a theocracy, aided and abetted by millions upon millions of ordinary Christians who followed their lead, voted as they were told, hated whom they were told to hate and supported the bigots with hundreds of millions of dollars.
To make things even worse, the administration itself poured millions into the coffers of the church in hundreds of “faith-based” give-aways to organizations that were free to use the money any way they saw fit.
Do you think your kids can’t see through this stuff? Do you think they don’t see where all of your efforts are heading? Do you think any of them really believe what you are trying to sell? Apparently not, and about time! Another generation, perhaps two, and what is going on in America today will seem like a bad dream. Your attitudes, outlooks and worldviews will seem as foreign to your descendents as those of the Salem witch-hunters (I hope) seem to you.
Wiccan: As Christians, we believe in a Biblical worldview, and according to God's Word, there would be clear signs of the beginnning of end times, a time of escalated violence, the love of many would grow cold, and men would become lovers of themselves, rather than lovers of God! This is all prophecy unfolding in our time. Almighty God has His plan of salvation that HE is working out here, whether or not man believes Him or not. It is not a matter of our perception, it is a matter of God's Soverignty. Man cannot change the plan of God, this world is dead and dying and it is reserved for fire. You take a good look around this world and you tell me that man can change the state that it is in! If you believe that, you are deluding yourself. See, I know that I cannot change things, I cannot even change myself! I surrendered to Jesus Christ, and cried out to God to save me from myself. I didn't always believe God, or His Word, but after trying everything in the world to find satisfaction in my life, NOTHING worked! My life was a complete breakdown going nowhere! When I cried out searching for God, HE answered! Imagine my surprise when HE showed me who I was created by and for! That my life has purpose and meaning, in HIM! He is all I need. But until HE is all you need, you won't know Him! HE opened my heart to HIS love and forgiveness. I am a sinner saved by HIS grace, and love. HE's already died for this world, but man rejects Him. We do indeed live in the end times, brethren all over the world know this as truth, and what we can do, is keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, and watch The Kingdom of God come! Hallelujah! Praise to You Lord God!
Folks, you can continue to deny the Lord, that is your choice. We are called to speak the truth in love, as the Lord God directs us. The World doesn't even know what the true JESUS looks like, so how would they know if Christianity looks like Him! HE is Christianity (the true Christianity) there are those out there that teach/preach a false Gospel. The Lord will deal with those folks. Our commission is to preach the Gospel, in season and out of season. We are simply obeying the Lord God. The Lord told us, the world hates Him, and the world will hate us too! That's Okay! Jesus is LORD!