Of adults surveyed who described themselves as "outside the Christian Faith..."
- 91% felt Christians were anti-homosexual
- 87% felt Christians were judgemental
- 85% felt Christians were hypocrytical
- 75% felt Christians were too political
- 70% felt Christians were insensitive
What do you think when you see those statistics? Are they unsettling, angering, humbling? Our own experiences have shown us that Christians can be very unChristian sometimes, and people on the outside of the church see it that way, too.
Cody used a passage from Matthew 23:13 from The Message to illustrate. Addressing the Pharisees (The Pharisees or Scribes were not the priests, but rather people who were considered very pious and strict keepers of the Law of Moses. They constantly adjusted the law to fit the changing world according to their traditions and own desires.), Jesus said:
“I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God’s kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won’t let anyone else in either."
Even in Jesus' day, people (scholars and respected leaders, even) tried to bend the word of God to fit their views and desires.
The world, then and now, rarely sees Christians who embody service, compassion, humility, forgiveness, patience, kindness, peace, joy, goodness, and love. At the Gathering, we're building a community based on the teachings of Jesus Christ --- trying to grow and foster unconditional love and acceptance like Jesus'.
Have we failed to represent the grace of God? Have we been bad examples of Jesus' people? Absolutely. We have all failed to be Jesus-like in more ways than one. We all fall short. But we are trying... and we hope to change the perception that Christians are judgmental, insensitive hypocrites, through our words and actions.
Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger
Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger
:: IN THE COMING WEEKS ::
10.20 Science, Politics, & Muslims
10.27 All Means All
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