USA Today ran a story a couple of weeks ago based on the findings of the Barna Research group. Here is an excerpt:
Majorities of young people in America describe modern-day Christianity as judgmental, hypocritical and anti-gay. What's more, many Christians don't even want to call themselves "Christian" because of the baggage that accompanies the label.
A new book based on research by the California-based research firm The Barna Group found that church attitudes about people in general and gays in particular are driving a negative image of the Christian faith among people ages 16-29.
"The Christian community's ability to take the high road and help to deal with some of the challenges that this (anti-gay) perception represents may be the ... defining response of the Christian church in the next decade," said David Kinnaman, Barna Group president and author of the book,
"The Christian community's ability to take the high road and help to deal with some of the challenges that this (anti-gay) perception represents may be the ... defining response of the Christian church in the next decade," said David Kinnaman, Barna Group president and author of the book,
UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity
.
"The anti-homosexual perception has now become sort of the Geiger counter of Christians' ability to love and work with people."
"The anti-homosexual perception has now become sort of the Geiger counter of Christians' ability to love and work with people."
As new generations come of age, the opportunity--the necessity--for a renewed understanding of Christianity as a source of love and grace and acceptance grows.
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I had the opportunity to hear a fantastic musician Friday night at a house concert sponsored by a friend. His name is Erik Balkey and bills himself as a "traveling house painter and poet." I can't attest to his house painting skills, but he is a fantastic poet. Each of his songs are a short story, drawn from observation and what must be a vivid imagination. He tackles social issues not by railing against them, but by sharing stories.He introduces characters that one wants to meet and creates worlds that draw one in.
According to Scholastic Books, the U.S. publisher of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 8.3 million copies of the last volume of J.K Rowling's series were sold on Saturday, the first day of the book's release. The latest installment of the film version, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, raked in $32.2 million. It was followed at the box office by Hairspray, which opened with $27.8 million in its first weekend.
Of course, these are two very different stories. However, I believe their success points to two realities in our culture. In the case of the Harry Potter phenomenon, the story resonates with our knowledge that we are destined for something more, something greater. Harry Potter is not just a boy who lost his parents and is mistreated by his aunt and uncle. He is a wizard of great renown, destined to be a major player in an epic battle of good versus evil.
Hairspray, adapted from the Broadway musical that was adapted from the original John Water's film, all of the same title, speaks to a desire in many if not most of us, to reach out to others, even those who are different from us--and to just dance!
Both of these impulses, good and true, are satisfied in discipleship to Christ. In the stories of his teachings and actions, it is clear that Jesus believed we must stand against systems of oppression and injustice--even on a cosmic scale. And in his words and actions, Jesus proclaimed that everyone is invited to the Kingdom party. Everybody gets to dance!
Of course, these are two very different stories. However, I believe their success points to two realities in our culture. In the case of the Harry Potter phenomenon, the story resonates with our knowledge that we are destined for something more, something greater. Harry Potter is not just a boy who lost his parents and is mistreated by his aunt and uncle. He is a wizard of great renown, destined to be a major player in an epic battle of good versus evil.
Hairspray, adapted from the Broadway musical that was adapted from the original John Water's film, all of the same title, speaks to a desire in many if not most of us, to reach out to others, even those who are different from us--and to just dance!
Both of these impulses, good and true, are satisfied in discipleship to Christ. In the stories of his teachings and actions, it is clear that Jesus believed we must stand against systems of oppression and injustice--even on a cosmic scale. And in his words and actions, Jesus proclaimed that everyone is invited to the Kingdom party. Everybody gets to dance!