Christianity’s reputation

by Tami Rudkin
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 1:53 PM MST

Is Christianity’s image is slipping?

Yesterday, I read an article about the new book, “Unchristian,” and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

The Barna Research Group polled young Americans for more than three years to determine what “outsiders” thought about American Christianity.

Those polled were 16-29 years of age. This group of young people had some severe criticism for those who called themselves Christians.

This poll revealed that non-Christians believed that Christians were extremely judgmental, hypocritical, old-fashioned, out of touch with reality and too involved in politics.

These young people had one other pungent opinion: “Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is ‘anti-homosexual.’ Overall, 91 percent of young non-Christians and 80 percent of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. As the research probed this perception, non-Christians and Christians explained that they believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes toward gays and lesbians.

“One of the most frequent criticisms of young Christians was that they believe the church has made homosexuality a ‘bigger sin’ than anything else. Moreover, they claim that the church has not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians.”

While this article went on to explore these issues on many different levels, the overall study reveals that 16- to 29-year-olds are disillusioned with Christianity and that they believe its role in society is not only waning, but is hurtful.

I am anxiously awaiting my copy of the book, but in the meantime, I feel somewhat like a young child who has been sent to her room to “think” about my behavior. I want to make excuses, deny these claims, and refute the allegations.

Sitting on my bed, with my arms crossed, holding back the tears I hear a quiet voice. “Be still Tami. Listen. Don’t defend; just hear what they have to say.”

I haven’t been in my “room” long enough to come to any concrete conclusions about these findings. However, I am overtaken by the reality that few of these young men and women, both Christians and non-Christians, used words to describe us like compassionate, authentic, concerned for others, trustworthy, service oriented, generous or ethical.

When these same young people were asked to talk about their impressions of Christianity, they stated repeatedly that today’s Christians don’t look like Jesus.

That hurts, but I have to admit that in many cases, it could be true.

After all, would Jesus betray his best friend?

Would Jesus say one thing and do another?

Would Jesus hate someone caught in sin?

Would Jesus lie to get out of a tough spot?

Would Jesus deny just rights to a person of color or a woman?

Would Jesus look the other way while people suffered in poverty or abuse?

I’m afraid that these young people’s observation might be the mirror we have long avoided.

I want to encourage you to go to your “room” today and ask yourself, “What am I presenting to the world?” Go deeper and ask, “What does my boss think of me? The grocery clerk? My neighbor? And most importantly, the people living in my home?”

If you are like me, you may have to repent. And, you may have some work to do. After all, Christianity’s reputation may depend upon it.

(Larry and Linda Kloster sponsor this column.)

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