10/26/10
A new study by the Barna Group shows that Americans readily admit to the contributions made by Christians to society in this country, but they also even more readily identify the negative impact Christians have had on society.
The positive contribution made by Christians mentioned most often by respondents was service and support to the poor and underprivileged. Nearly 20% of respondents brought up this contribution, as did more than 30% of adult Millennials. One out of six adults mentioned evangelism as Christians’ most positive contribution to society, and one out of every seven mentioned “shaping or protecting the values and morals of the nation.” Slightly more than 10% of respondents could not think of any positive contributions Christians had made to the U.S.
Overall, the list of complaints about Christians in America was longer and more diverse than the list of compliments. When asked about Christians’ negative contributions to American society, one in five mentioned “violence or hatred incited in the name of Christ,” 13% named believers’ opposition to gay marriage, 12% named the Church’s involvement in politics, and 12% cited the Catholic priests sex abuse scandals.
Even more surprising is that evangelicals are by far the most critical of Christians’ contributions to U.S. society. Evangelicals were the least likely subgroup to say they couldn’t think of any negative contributions to society by Christians, and nearly half of evangelicals mentioned issues of “violence, bigotry, hatred, intolerance, and lack of love for others” as Christian failings.
Editor’s Note: What’s your reaction to the Barna poll? Do you agree with the findings? Why or why not?
