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TechnoratiMany unchurched Americans have a negative perception of the church.
"There will always be the stumbling block of the cross. Yet our study shows that many are tripping over the church before they hear the message of the cross," said Stetzer.
A majority of unchurched Americans (79 percent) think that Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving God and loving people; 86 percent believe they can have a good relationship with God without being involved in church.
"These outsiders are making a clear comment that churches are not getting through on the two greatest commandments," to love God and love your neighbor, said McConnell.
What they see the church as is "candles, pews and flowers, rather than people living out their love for God by loving others," he noted. "Such skepticism can only be overcome by churches and believers who demonstrate the unity and love for which Jesus prayed."
Other findings showed that 44 percent said Christians "get on my nerves."
Still, a majority (89 percent) of the unchurched have at least one close friend who is Christian, Stetzer noted. And while turned off by church, 78 percent are willing to listen to someone who wanted to talk about their Christian beliefs. The number rose to 89 percent among adults 18-29 years of age.
Additionally, 78 percent of adults 30 years and older said they would enjoy an honest conversation with a friend about religious and spiritual beliefs, even if they disagreed with the friend.
Only 28 percent of adults 30 years and older said they think Christians they know talk to them too much about their beliefs.
"We think religion is a topic that is off-limits in polite conversation, but unchurched people say they would enjoy conversations about spiritual matters," Stetzer noted.
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