Changing perceptions

How does the outside world view Christianity?

The answer might shock you. The latest Barna group survey reveals some unsettling things about how we have

• 91 percent of the world sees evangelicals as “Anti-homosexual.
• 87 percent calls us “judgemental”
• 85 percent call us “hypocritcaal”
• 78 percent say we are “old fashioned”
• 75 percent think we are “too involved in politics”
• 72 percent as “out of touch with reality

I don’t think these numbers are fair, but perception is often reality. In our desire to be salt and light, as the cities on a hill for a world to see, this doesn’t bode well. We are missing the chance to make a difference.

I lay some of this at the feet of those who thought we could change the world through political majority, which I supported at first, but now regret. We aligned ourselves with politics, sleeping with a friend that later would betray us. We rose up with a voice, hoping that politics would do our bidding. Instead of rolling up our sleeves with the hard work of faith in action, we let government take over our jobs.

But maybe I am wrong. Some may think that these ‘low ratings’ are actually good things. “Rejoice when the world mocks you for My names sake,” our Savior said.