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(CP) While a majority of Americans have a constructive view of Jesus, most, together with Christians, even have a damaging opinion of movie star Christian tradition, movie star pastors, Evangelicals, megachurches and well-known worship bands, a brand new research from Barna Group reveals.
And the scenario is amongst quite a few drivers inching the nation towards a post-Christian period.
The information for the study, carried out on-line from Dec. 13–22, 2022, through a shopper analysis panel, was based mostly on a survey of two,005 U.S. adults and youngsters referred to as the Spiritually Open venture. Gloo and He Gets Us partnered with Barna for the analysis.
“When we requested Americans whether or not they have a constructive or damaging opinion of Jesus, seven in 10 (71%) say they view him positively. Of all U.S. teenagers and adults, 63 p.c say they’ve made a private dedication to Jesus Christ that’s nonetheless vital of their life at present,” Barna researchers mentioned. “This is definitely most typical amongst millennials, of whom 70 p.c say their dedication to Jesus continues to be vital to them.”
When requested if they’ve a “constructive” opinion of sure facets of Christian tradition like megachurches, the research reveals that only a minority of each Christians and non-Christians approve.
Overall, solely 16% of U.S. teenagers and adults have a constructive view of megachurches, and amongst Christians, it would not get significantly better. Only 17% view them positively. For individuals of different faiths, 21% mentioned they’ve a constructive view of megachurches, whereas simply 9% of individuals with no religion mentioned the identical.
For movie star pastors, solely 19% of Christians and folks of different faiths had a constructive view of these ministers, whereas simply 17% of respondents general mentioned the identical.
Famous individuals or celebrities who’re Christian are additionally not seen positively. Only 26% of respondents general within the survey and 30% of Christians approve.
Twenty-six p.c of respondents within the research general additionally had a constructive view of well-known or well-known worship bands. Among Christians, simply 30% view these bands positively, together with 29% of individuals from different faiths and 12% of people that profess no religion in any respect.
Evangelicals are additionally not well-liked. Only 26% of respondents general have a constructive view of the group. Among Christians, that view will increase to 31% however falls to 24% amongst individuals of different faiths.
While some 56% of Christians within the survey mentioned that they had a constructive view of Christian pastors or clergymen, lower than half (44%) of the respondents within the research general reported the identical. Only 47% of respondents general had a constructive view of church buildings of their neighborhood, whereas 58% of Christians did.
Majorities of general respondents considered Jesus Christ (71%), Christianity (57%), the Bible (63%) and spirituality (65%) favorably. Larger majorities of Christians additionally expressed constructive views concerning Jesus Christ (84%), Christianity (74%), the Bible (78%) and spirituality (75%). On the opposite hand, Christianity is just not considered positively by individuals of different faiths, simply 36% of whom have heat emotions towards the faith.
“Beyond Jesus, in relation to views of different Christian teams or entities, constructive opinions wane. People of no religion are impartial or leaning damaging — and for movie star, mega or well-known representatives of the religion, opinions are decidedly damaging,” researchers mentioned.
The prime purpose given by individuals of no religion and different faiths for doubting Christianity is “the hypocrisy of spiritual individuals,” whereas amongst Christians it’s “human struggling.”
“The work of Christians is to embody Jesus — filled with reality and beauty — and mirror his picture in all they are saying and do,” Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman mentioned in a press release. “The information reveals they too typically fall brief.”
