The younger generation of Christian voters shared some of the same moral values held by traditional Christian right leaders, but differed significantly from them in other aspects, a new survey found.
Abortion was still considered one the most important issues in the presidential election by younger Christian voters, according to a survey by Relevant magazine. But gay rights, a core issue for Christian right leaders, was selected out of a provided list (abortion, gay rights, church and state issues, bioethics, illegal immigration) as the least important presidential issue. The second least important topic chosen was church and state issues, the young voters listed.
“In general, we’re seeing that twentysomething Christians hold strongly to conservative moral values, but at the same time don’t feel that their personal moral beliefs need to be legislated to people who don’t agree with them,” Relevant founder and publisher Cameron Strang said in a statement. “It’s an interesting paradox, and is creating clear division between this generation and the religious right.”
The national survey polled thousands of readers, many age 18-24 years old, and found that 59 percent of participants feel the government should fund national healthcare. Also, illegal immigration, chosen by 40.4 percent of participants, was the top presidential issue for young Christians.
In foreign policy, 61.9 percent said they do not support the war in Iraq.
“The readers poll confirmed things we’ve been hearing for quite some time,” said Strang. “Young Christians simply don’t seem to feel a connection to the traditional religious right. Many differ strongly on domestic policy issues, namely issues that affect the poor, and are dissatisfied with America’s foreign policy and war.”
Although gay rights was voted as the least important presidential issue, 75 percent said gay “marriage” should not be legalized.
Among other findings, 63 percent young Christians felt churches should not be allowed to support candidates; 46 percent picked Sen. Hillary Clinton as the least Christian candidate; Sen. Barack Obama was chosen by 28 percent of the young believers as the candidate Jesus would most likely vote for; and runner up to Obama with a 24 percent vote is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist preacher.
RSS
There is no such thing as homosexual Christian. That is deception. True; But lets also add these: no Christian who belive in other gods or other ways into heaven, no Christians who take the name of the Lord in vain, no lying Christians, no covetus Christians, no idol worshiping Christians, no robbing Christians, no murderous Christians, no Christians who does not keep the Sabbath holy, no Christians disobeys their parents, and no adultous Christians.
And, yes, I suppose my thinking at 40 something is a little different than my thinking at 20 something.
I used to think the same way as these 20-year olds. Funny how that pattern works. The cycle of life.
All this article says is that broad is the road that leads to hell and many are on it.
Post Script: There is no such thing as homosexual Christian. That is deception.
The Bible wasn't written by God nor was it written by Jesus. The bible was written by men. It has it's strengths and it's discrepancies. You should take in with a grain of salt. In addition, there are thousands of ways to interpret the bible.
nwjc,
The Scriptures never condemned equality for blacks, women’s rights, but does condemn same sex relationships - Romans 1:24-27. There were admonitions to avoid interracial marriages in the Old Testament - this was primarily for spiritual reasons; that the people of God would not be led away from God himself. As a Christian (a follower of Christ); if you are genuinely sincere about following Jesus, you should take heed to the written word of God and not compromise its teachings. I am not condemning you; I am asking you to revisits the Word of God, prayerfully.
As a Christian gay man I applaud the younger generation for not following in the misguided footsteps of their elders. These misguided footsteps can also be seen in equal rights for blacks, women's rights as well as interracial marriage. All of these issues were at one time deemed the top issue the church should stand up against for they would be the demise of the family if they were to happen. In the same way gay men and lesbians are scapegoated as the prodigals because they are unrepentant sinners.
Broken people yes and in need of a savior yes like all of us but scripture in no ways condemns men or women from being in a loving same sex relationship. Now I know a lot of you will say that is not so look at Rom 1 or 1 Cor 6 or even Leviticus. But I doubt very seriously many of you have looked at the root meaning of many of the words used for homosexual. You will come to discover that homosexuality as we know it is not mentioned and many of the words are ambiguous in their meaning.Remember that it is a translation correct in the message not perfect in its translation. But this issue has become overrated due to fear and an unwillingness for many in the church to honestly look at or address this issue from a biblical, historical, sociological way. We're right your wrong for the bible tells me so and yet unable to live up to their own standards of what the bible tells them to be/do.
Hypocrisy is not easy to address in any of us. And something that is as entrenched in this false belief takes time and people to come out of hiding and be a voice for truth. This truth proclaims that who so ever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Who so ever means man, woman, black. hispanic. asian, straight, gay and how dare anyone say that I as a gay man can not be a Christian, that is hypocrisy
Another question is why do many people look at people like myself in light of who I am in bed with or what I do with another sexually? This is not the case if one is straight for they are viewed as a man or a woman. One day and it will be sooner then we think being gay will not make any more difference than being black or a woman. The real issue at hand is how does the church how do you and I portray our faith, live our faith in such a way that this draws gay men and lesbians to Christ?
Lord Jesus please raise up more youth leaders who are dedicated living holy and who are passonate prayer warriors and Evangelists.
The Gospel of the Kingdom === >>
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/#the_message_that_we_were_born_to_hear
SheQuon, I have a sincere question for you: Do you believe it is divisive to believe and teach what God's Word says about immorality in any form, including homosexuality?
Do these young Christians not know what God's Word says about immorality in any form? Is that why they have no problem with it?
PolishBear,
What is the church's most pragmatic approach to Gay Christians, at a time when a younger generation is increasingly supportive of their Gay friends, family members, and co-workers?
Christians should not sugarcoat this or any other sin. Younger people are increasingly supportive of their Gay friends; but God does not support this lifestyle. The church should teach the truth in love and leave the results to God.
PolishBear, your post rocks! I certainly hope that young people can take the lead and steer us away from the divisive issues that lead us into very un-Christian-like attacks on one another (not to mention our schools' science classes).
We saw how politics catering to a vocal group of religious activists played out in the last election; it was pretty sad and petty--with even the Pope weighing in threatening to excommunicate a candidate for not being "right" on an issue. We are better than this, or so I thought.
The Children have been sent to Government schools, which are devoid of Christian teaching. So what do expect the children to do? They are mearly doing what they have been taught. With only going to church on Sunday morning, maybe Sunday night and Wednesday night at the most only 5 or six hours of Christian Teaching verses 35 hours plus homework of secular/worldly training, how do you expect them to turn out? The parents are responsible for thier spiritual training. Do they practice talking with them when they "rise up, walk in the way, sit down and at night", so that they can be trained in the ways of the Lord and "Great will be thier peace"?
This article raises an interesting question: What is the church's most pragmatic approach to Gay Christians, at a time when a younger generation is increasingly supportive of their Gay friends, family members, and co-workers?
According the Barna Group's recent study of evangelical youth, 80% said Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians.
I would suggest the reason for this is that evangelical youth are capable of making a moral an ethical distinction between monogamous Gay couples and promiscuous Gay individuals, rather than simply saying it's all just wrong, wrong, wrong. It is becoming increasingly obvious that Christians are beginning to see the benefits of embracing their Gay brothers and sisters and encouraging them toward lives of monogamy and commitment, rather than simply pushing them off to the side, and relegating them to lives of loneliness, depression, and promiscuity.
Too many Christians, especially older Christians, still cling wistfully to the notion that Straight people get to date, get engaged, marry and build lives together in the context of monogamy and faithfulness to one other, that this is a GOOD thing ... and yet for Gay people to do exactly the same is somehow a BAD thing. The young evangelicals that the Barna group cites in its survey fortunately are realizing that this is a poor value judgment.
"Do you have any idea how many times when we visit the homeless, the abused, the forgotten we hear again and again, what organization are you from. When we tell them a church, they say "oh another church". Why do they say that? "
My answer:
Sometimes people say "oh another church" because they are tired of hearing the Christian message. Perhaps they are hoping for another visitor who doesn't talk about religion.
Who, beside churches, regularly visits the homeless, the abused, the forgotten?
It is no wonder views of so many young people are different from the "traditional" right. Thank the Lord they are! I can remember as a child growing up as a young white person in a white community how blacks were treated. Especially by "most" traditional whites. Prejudice was rampant and condoned by traditionals. We, as Christians, spend so much time making sure everyone knows what we are against but do they know what we are for? I am in charge of outreach ministry at my church. Do you have any idea how many times when we visit the homeless, the abused, the forgotten we hear again and again, what organization are you from. When we tell them a church, they say "oh another church". Why do they say that? Because so many Christians have been so arrogant and pompous (like the pharisees and the saducees with their noses so high in the air and so afraid that someone "dirty" may touch them). Think about it, how many of today's churches would even let Jesus into their doors if he looked and "smelled" like a homeless person. Would you sit beside him?
Lord Jesus please raise up more youth leaders who are dedicated living holy and who are passonate prayer warriors and Evangelists.
The Gospel of the Kingdom === >>
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/#the_message_that_we_were_born_to_hear
It's unfortunate that these young Christians fail to realize they are the salt and light for God's will, not theirs. We are blessed in this country to select the government officials of our choice, and that choice for a Christian is government officials that abide by God's will per Romans 13 to be His servant.
These youngsters do not realize that if they do not deal with legislating sin they have just said that they are in favor of our government persecuting them. The hate crimes bill is a great example of this. Those in favor AFTER BEING PRESSED by Christian leaders were forced to say that if the law passed as written that preachers that just quoted verses in the Bible that say that homosexuality is wrong could be charged with a hate crime if someone heard those comments and were 'inspired' to do harm to one.
Revival will fix this. They will realize that they have been duped by their moral neutralizing education. I would love to know what the religious makeup of these young people is. It would not surprise me if they are a part of Christian denominations that also either debate or accept sinners in ministry. Talking will not be enough to correct this. Only God' power will deal with this. At least there will not be the religious fog over their eyes. They will have a clear view of what is right and wrong AND what it means to be a witness for Christ.
"Among other findings, 63 percent young Christians felt churches should not be allowed to support candidates;"
Churches, as an organization cannot support candidates according to IRS rules or they will lose their 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status. However, individual pastors, church members are allowed to support candidates without any problems.
"Sen. Barack Obama was chosen by 28 percent of the young believers as the candidate Jesus would most likely vote for;"
This is a major public relations feat for the Obama campaign; If one studies the policy positions of Obama, they are even more radical and more left-wing than Hillary Clinton's positions. Are the Christians being polled just not aware or unintentionally blinded by the charisma of a personality?
<But gay rights, a core issue for Christian right leaders, was selected out of a provided list (abortion, gay rights, church and state issues, bioethics, illegal immigration) as the least important presidential issue. The second least important topic chosen was church and state issues, the young voters listed.>
This shows just how successful the pro-homosexual activists have been in their public relations campaigns. The persistent desensitization of a moral wrong has greatly influenced the biblical worldview of this generation of Christians. Post-modernism is rampant within young evangelicals. Movies, televisions, music, etc. continue to present same-sex relationships as one of many viable alternative moral choices. Satan can prove to be deceptively clever.
It's a classic case of the frog sitting in gradually boiling water and not knowing it, even till after it is dead when boiled alive.