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Are the Stats REALLy Wrong?

Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Zaac, Jan 8, 2014.

  1. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    Christians: More Like Jesus or Pharisees?

    April 30, 2013 – One of the common critiques leveled at present-day Christianity is that it’s a religion full of hypocritical people.

    A new Barna Group study examines the degree to which this perception may be accurate. The study explores how well Christians seem to emulate the actions and attitudes of Jesus in their interactions with others.
    ...
    The findings reveal that most self-identified Christians in the U.S. are characterized by having the attitudes and actions researchers identified as Pharisaical. Just over half of the nation’s Christians—using the broadest definition of those who call themselves Christians—qualify for this category (51%). They tend to have attitudes and actions that are characterized by self-righteousness.

    On the other end of the spectrum, 14% of today’s self-identified Christians—just one out of every seven Christians—seem to represent the actions and attitudes Barna researchers found to be consistent with those of Jesus.

    In the middle are those who have some mix of action and attitude. About one-fifth of Christians are Christ-like in attitude, but often represent Pharisaical actions (21%). Another 14% of respondents tend to be defined as Christ-like in action, but seem to be motivated by self-righteous or hypocritical attitudes.
    [​IMG]

    https://www.barna.org/barna-update/...ans-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees#.Us2SNPRDtF6
     
    #1 Zaac, Jan 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 8, 2014
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Barna is part of the rebellious house church movement and I believe that colors everything he does. He very much dislikes the church and believes that it is completely wrong to have church outside of the official house church movement. He dislikes pastors and church leadership. He works to pain the traditional church in a poor light all the time.
     
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Did you read all of the questions the telephone interviewers asked, Zaac? Did you read that they only talked to 718 people who "identified" themselves as Christians?

    Many of those questions that these interviewees were answering over the phone in no way demonstrate a hypocrisy.

    "I believe God is for everyone". A Reformed Christian is going to answer "no". How does that make him or her a hypocrite? I believe the answer is yes, but a Reformed Christian comes TO the question with a different belief. They would better answer "I believe God is for the elect."

    "I believe it is better to help people know that God is for them than to tell them that they are sinners." I know many, many Christians who witness in the reverse - we are all sinners, including you, but the Good News is that God loves you and Jesus died for you. This question isn't valid in determining hypocrisy.

    I'll stop there, but I could continue.

    Are there hypocrites in the church? Yes. On this board? Yes. And we all have room for one more.
     
  4. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    Yes dear Scarlett. I read every single question. You'll have to take up the formulation of the questions with the Barna group as they seem to believe they properly assessed the teachings of Jesus from Scripture with their questions.
     
  5. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    Perhaps. But he may well turn around and say something similar about you and your positions.
     
  6. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    The problem I see with this study is it seems very, very subjective to the group's own personal biases and views.

    But....
    Of course the church is full of hypocrites. We're only human, after all. If it's as bad as some make out to be or not is another matter, but in any case it's still true. (Still, the failure of many or most should not serve as an excuse for one person to reject Christ because of it. Although it does serve as a reminder for us to watch our own actions, since, yes, our actions should be pointing people to God.)
    I like what was said in one post...there's always room for one more hypocrite.
     
  7. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    But the same can be said about the study in rev's thread. And thus the purpose behind this thread.

    We need to be focused on US when it comes to judging sin because our actions are much like the ones outside the church.

    If those outside the church can look to us as different, perhaps then our influence for positive moral change will start to take place. As it stands, we look like them in more aspects than one.
     
    #7 Zaac, Jan 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 8, 2014
  8. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    As usual he has nor argument he just says the opposite of everyone else.
     
  9. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    And as usual, you have no argument against the truth that's been spoken.:smilewinkgrin:
     
  10. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    Maybe if we all dropped the useless posturing and taunting, we'd be one step closer to not being hypocrites?

    Anyways, I have to vacuum. Have a lovely afternoon, all.
     
  11. thisnumbersdisconnected

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    Yes. .......
     
  12. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    SNIP

    What was Christ's fault? He was commonly called a glutton and a winebibber.
     
    #12 Aaron, Jan 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 9, 2014
  13. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    If that's the type of filth you're gonna post, then please don't post. :thumbs:
     
  14. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Truth hurts. Don't it. :tonofbricks:
     
  15. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    The way you're spitting out expletives, I guess the truth does hurt.:thumbs:
     
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