|
|
at the results of a recent survey about Christians ...
"Interestingly, the study discovered a new image that has steadily grown in prominence over the last decade. Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is "anti-homosexual." Overall, 91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. As the research probed this perception, non-Christians and Christians explained that beyond their recognition that Christians oppose homosexuality, they believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians. One of the most frequent criticisms of young Christians was that they believe the church has made homosexuality a "bigger sin" than anything else. Moreover, they claim that the church has not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians."
(full article at http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=280 )
The various comments on this I've seen seem to be suggesting that this appears to be the result of most young people having one or more friends who more-or-less openly identify as gay or lesbian, making it much more difficult for even churchgoers to buy in to the homophobia which many brands of Christianity put forward.
I think this is quite encouraging ... even though I suspect that the survey may not have covered some of the areas that have the most deep-rooted prejudice.
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. ... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night devoid of stars." Martin Luther King
|
] 
A Place of Safety
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
Re: Surprised and pleased ... 
