Sad But True
According to research by the Barna Group presented in the book UnChristian, more than two thirds of people who are not a part of a church say that they are not willing to speak to a Christian about their faith. Notice that they do not want to talk to Christians; this is not the case with other faiths. What makes people put Christians into a category that allows more space on public transportation?
Unfortunately “Christian” has become synonymous with “closed-minded, intolerant, backwoods, uneducated, science-hating, hick”…. at least in the public mindset.
We, as the church, have only ourselves to blame. For the last 50 years Christians have allowed themselves to be wooed by a particular political ideology and the power and influence that comes with being associated with them. Faith, for alot of Christians, has been replaced by slogans and causes.
What’s the answer? I don’t know for sure. However, the biggest, and best, thing we can do is re-learn how to dialogue in the public square. Reversing these impressions won’t happen overnight, but if more Christians begin to “be Jesus” instead of just “talk Jesus”, it might go a little faster.