Unchristian

by David Kinnaman

Groundbreaking research into the perceptions of 16 to 29-year-old non-Christians reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments. Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. Young Americans share an impression of Christians that’s nothing short of unChristian.

Comments

Quyen Bentley

I read this book. I thought it was great reading, so eye opening. Personally I felt convicted because I began to question if I was turning others to or away from Jesus. "Behold now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. W put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry..." (2 Cor. 6:2-4)

Jessica Handy

Using this book in teaching a high school Bible class. Thanks for the research & insights. It's really challenging for kids who've grown up in church, and eye opening for those who are cynical to see that they are partly right but there is also hope and desire in the church for something better to emerge, as well as some positive examples and stories of what it could be like if we tried to engage the real outsiders and not just our assumptions and judgments of who they are.

Craig Gilman

I find this really interesting - and although it's based on the US - it's relevant to me in the UK too. It's a slightly different culture here of course.

I'd like to see some of these resources for the UK context - Maybe Q UK?

Denise

The main problem is that the world has evolved but Christianity hasn't, so it doesn't really fit the present times anymore.

Plus most people find people who flaunt their religion threatening. Too much 'in your face'. Too much propaganda.

Introduce people slowly to God, don't throw Jesus in their face immediately. To them it's a stranger. What clear thinking person would say 'Yeah I believe him' if you'd tried ot sell what your cousin has said? Plus personally I find it highly irritating. "Jesus loves you". I bet he does, but I don't need to hear it all the time. Nor do I need to be drowned in bible quotes that have absolutely no bearing on present day. Which are dramatic sounding. Translate it into understandable, more easily approachable words.

Plus I heard a lecture once about how the bible has been understood wrongly when it comes to the perception of gays. It is said that the original scrolls don't literally say it's bad.

But nobody seems to be doing proper research. Into anything. MY mian objection to Christianity is the mindless following people do, that they gobble up old words that have been adjusted so many times that nobody knows what the original gospels were. How a gospel by a woman has been left out. How people don't think for themselves anymore. It's brainwashing. With things that may not be accurate anymore.

I believe in God. I don't believe in religion. Believing in God is having a personal belief. He's not so far away, he's right there. You don't need to scream in a church. You don't need to sing holy holy. He knows if you truly believe. Religion means being fanatic and wanting to push it onto others. Lay an example for them to find on their own, then step back and leave. Don't push. It just causes war. Believing in God and loving God should be personal, individual and inward, before you can show it outward. Be a good person, be kind. Love others, treat them with respect. Help them where possible. That's Jesus, that's God. It's not in being a meek sheep and going to church thinking that makes you good. And then turning your cheek to the world and the ones who believe something else.

God is God. Whatever you call him: The high power, the collective energy, Shiva, Buddha, Jehova, Allah... It's just a name. It's all the same. Religion is just the story they build around it. Let people believe in their own way.

Be thankful for the life you've been giving and spread love by being kind and respectful and by helping where you can. Live with acceptance no matter what someone does, believes, whatever their sexual preference: aren't we all supposed to be God's children? Aren't we all one? Stop boxing up stuff by different stories. Just believe and love.

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