Biff the unclean

A survey that appeared on Agape Press that may be worth a comment or two

<a href="http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/afa/62002a.asp" target="_blank">http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/afa/62002a.asp</a>
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Survey: Few Outside Christianity Have Positive View of Evangelicals
Researcher Says Believers Perceived as 'Not Particularly Loving'
By Allie Martin
December 6, 2002
(AgapePress) - A new survey shows that adults with no connection to the Christian faith have low opinions of evangelicals. The researcher who conducted the study believes that may be one reason why churches are not growing.
The Barna survey asked respondents how they felt about evangelicals, born-again Christians, ministers, and other types of people. According to the survey, evangelicals came in tenth out of eleven, trailing lesbians and lawyers but beating out prostitutes.
George Barna, president of the Barna Research Group, says evangelicals have a lot of work to do to overcome such an image.
"We may not be 'evil' people, we may not be 'bad' people -- we may be completely loving and wonderful. But somehow we are being perceived by non-Christians in America as a group of people who are not particularly loving [and] not particularly generous, kind, or understanding," Barna says.
"Whether that's because the media portray evangelicals in a negative light or because we've earned that 'badge of dishonor,' if you will, we've got to figure that out -- and then we have to address that."
Barna says evangelicals have an opportunity to reverse the negative public opinion: through the way they live their lives. "We're not going to have many opportunities to have meaningful interaction on a spiritual level with people outside the Christian faith until they can look at us and say, 'You know what? These people live what they talk,'" he says.
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The survey also found the more highly educated a person without a Christian connection is, the less likely he or she is to have a positive impression of Christians. The only group that received a favorable response from the non-Christian respondents was military officers.

diana

The only group that received a favorable response from the non-Christian respondents was military officers.

Very interesting. Also very common. I wonder why not just "military," though? Unless it was a "put these in order" sort of deal, and there was no general "military" category.

I've been told that military members in general usually rank the highest in American's eyes for integrity.

d

Maverick

Interesting article, but I think it would be better discussed in Misc Religion Discussion.

Maverick - BC&A Moderator

Fiach

Bloody Hell, you say! They beat out prostitutes?

That can't be true. I personally would much rather spend a few hours with a prostitute than ten minutes with a Born-Again Evangelical Fundamentalist. Less than 10 minutes if the Evangelical is a Televangelist.

What is the difference between a prostitute and an evanglist?

You give the money to the prostitute then get to fuck her.

The evangelist fucks you and then takes your money.

Fiach

Pierre

"The only group that received a favorable response from the non-Christian respondents was military officers."

Then possibly, the Salvation Army, would have the best chance to save my soul. Should I salute them before kicking their backsides?

diana

I was thinking the same thing, Fiach. What did prostitutes ever do to anybody? They offer a service for a fee. Both parties go away happy. If it weren't for all the evangelists around telling you otherwise, neither party would feel any guilt about it, either.

Come to think of it, if it weren't for the evangelists around telling you how wicked and dirty prostitutes are (conveniently having forgotten about the lavish use of temple prostitutes by the patriarchs for the purposes of any conversation about prostitutes), prostitutes wouldn't be at the bottom of the list to begin with.

d

Hubble head

Its not all that surprising. For as long as I can rememer those who don't affiliate with religion have had a low opinion of the obviously mentally deranged who do.

Its so obvious these people are wasting their energy, money and potential as human beings. What else is theer to do but roll your eyes at the wacko's or slam the door in their face when they try to share their con-game fairy tale with you.

I'm shocked we still live in a society that accepts them as they are.

Biff the unclean

I tend to think that this is all a preception of personal honor. That would be why military officers are so highly rated. Evangelicals are not seen as honorable people. Their apologetics are indistinguishable from sneaky tricks

[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: Biff the unclean ]</p>

diana

The only group that received a favorable response from the non-Christian respondents was military officers.

But not Christian respondents? Weird.

At least I'm at the top of the list among the infidels. (Is that like honor among thieves, though?)

d

Undercurrent

Probably because of the association between "evangelicals" and "televangelists". I don't think even a great many christians would see televangelists as honorable.

m.