Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Younger Generations Frustrated with Christianity

I have been living under the false impression that Baptists have the corner on 'frustration'. According to a recent Barna study, "A New Generation Expresses its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity". Something disturbingly new showed up in this recent study:
"Interestingly, the study discovered a new image that has steadily grown in prominence over the last decade. Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is "anti-homosexual." Overall, 91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. 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. 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."

That is painful. "Excessive contempt" and "unloving attitudes"...'looks like we have work to do.

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