unChristian ...anybody read it?

Tragic Paradox

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unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity ...And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman

I was at the bookstore a couple weeks ago in the Christian section and this one jumped out at me. "unChristian" in big bold letters on the front. So I picked it up and read a couple chapters. Sounds like an interesting read. Anyone read it?

I didn't get it, but I plan to. It has a lot of interesting statistics in it. The author's research group has done extensive studies on Christianity, and nonChristians thoughts on it. None of it is really surprising. The majority think Christians are all judgmental, hypocritical homophobes. So how do we correct our image problem? Why does it matter what others think of us? Well hopefully the book answers those questions......I didn't read far enough :p

Just wondering who has read it and what they thought.
 

Netbug009

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How is Christianity anti-scientific? It explains how the world came into being way better than "it was just always there" or "an explosion came from nowhere". Those explanations don't seem logical at all. Spiritual intervention makes more sense IMO.

But anyways, isn't that off topic? I thought this was about a book.
 
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genifer

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It sounds like a good book. Im gonna check out that website.

The majority think Christians are all judgmental, hypocritical homophobes. So how do we correct our image problem? Why does it matter what others think of us? Well hopefully the book answers those questions......I didn't read far enough :p


I dont think we can correct our 'image'. My faith isnt about image. I do know that many many professing christians really seem to get it wrong and that in reality there are only a handful of true disciples of Christ anyway. The rest are loudmouthed judgemental homophobes. Or one of the three, among other nonflattering things. The truth is that this is nothing new. The institution of christianity as a political driving force is what nonbelievers are judging. I bet if those nonbelievers met someone with a true heart for Christ thier 'perception' might be challenged. But then again, some of those same nonbelievers calling christians hypocrites are absolutely no different in their prejudice against us. Ive met nonbelievers who hate christians with such a passion. They tar us all with the same brush.



 
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Antigone

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How is Christianity anti-scientific? It explains how the world came into being way better than "it was just always there" or "an explosion came from nowhere". Those explanations don't seem logical at all. Spiritual intervention makes more sense IMO.
But anyways, isn't that off topic? I thought this was about a book.

It is quite off-topic, which is probably best because otherwise I'd be tempted to tell you why science doesn't claim that the world was "just" there.
But since we're in the book forum, I'm just going to tell you to read Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, which outlines neatly why science has come to certain conclusions. A very interesting read, I highly recommend it even if you don't believe a word of it.
 
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diekatzen

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I saw "unChristian" in a bookstore and flipped through it a little. From what I read of it, I'd encourage Christians to read it. I'll be the first to admit that even though I dislike generalizations and stereotypes, I and many other non-Christians end up with a negative view of Christianity because of the most boisterous, fundamentalist and arrogant of Christianity seem to be the ones doing the talking. For example, if all someone knows of Christians is Ted Haggard, what sort of view do you suppose they will take of Christianity as a whole? I don't wish to offend, but there is a lot of negativity in the way Christians are perceived by non-believers, and if a book like this can change that, I'd have to recommend it.
 
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jamiel

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It does look interesting. I've seen it before, so someday I'll have to pick it up.

I and many other non-Christians end up with a negative view of Christianity because of the most boisterous, fundamentalist and arrogant of Christianity seem to be the ones doing the talking.


People who aren't fundamentalist or arrogant (not necessarily saying the two go hand-in-hand) need to speak up more! We need to be heard and let non-Christians know of the wide variety and richness of what it means to be true to God's Word and still be Christian.

I don't wish to offend, but there is a lot of negativity in the way Christians are perceived by non-believers, and if a book like this can change that, I'd have to recommend it.


ITA if the book can help change that. Sometimes people need to listen to what critics (even outside of Christianity) are saying. Some of it very well may have validity. We need to be jugding ourselves if we don't want others judging us.


God Bless. :)
 
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e. barrett

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I think David Kinnaman did a good job using statistics to back up his claims. He makes some statements that are pretty hard to take if you consider yourself a Christian. And sadly, I think he was right about a lot of stuff.

Although even if we might disagree with the perceptions people have of Christianity, there is a ton of research that shows perception is reality for many things.

I'm not sure you could say I enjoyed reading this book. But it's certainly worth reading. Especially if you deal with a lot of people who don't have a relationship with God.
 
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