quote:The study shows that 16- to 29-year-olds exhibit a greater degree of criticism toward Christianity than did previous generations when they were at the same stage of life. In fact, in just a decade, many of the Barna measures of the Christian image have shifted substantially downward, fueled in part by a growing sense of disengagement and disillusionment among young people. For instance, a decade ago the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a "good impression" of Christianity.
One of the groups hit hardest by the criticism is evangelicals. Such believers have always been viewed with skepticism in the broader culture. However, those negative views are crystallizing and intensifying among young non-Christians. The new study shows that only 3% of 16- to 29-year-old non-Christians express favorable views of evangelicals. This means that today’s young non-Christians are eight times less likely to experience positive associations toward evangelicals than were non-Christians of the Boomer generation (25%).
A New Generation Expresses its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity, a write up about David Kinnaman's latest book, unChristian.
I would just add that the image problem is a result of a far more serious substance deficit problem.
posted
If I were a twenty-something young man today, and didn't have any relationship with the Lord, I think I would be quite skeptical about church, God, and religion as well. I wonder how many people today think "Social Club" when they think of church, complete with rules, dos and don'ts that even most "regulars" don't live up to. No thanks.
I grew up in a church that preached the Gospel the same way the apostles did in the Book of Acts. When we gathered on Sundays, the Holy Ghost was allowed freedom to move whether through tongues and interpretation, a word of prophecy or open rebuke. I also remember the altars were regularly visited, where people joined together, layed hands on each other and prayed together. Those altars were more wet with tears than with furniture polish.
Finally, I wonder what impact new Bible versions have had on the church. Again while growing up, there was just one Bible: The King James Version. Everyone read the same verses. Today, different versions are read in churches with different meanings to go with each version. Some say there's really no difference between versions. Really? Well, here's just one difference: In the NIV, the word "God" has been taken out over 400 times compared to the KJV. Is that significant? I think it is. It makes me wonder what other changes have been made and why. Our sword is the Word of God. If the church seems less powerful, could it be because our swords have been tampered with? "Hath God said..."
A powerless, institutionalized church and numerous, shallow examples of Christianity just makes the world more appealing. Just my thoughts though...
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