Not helping

[kiaa]

Makes sense. People who are constantly condemning others in the name of God aren't winning any converts.

Conservative Christians are driving more Americans away from religion altogether

The incredible hypocrisy is what turns people off. Justifying hate and bigotry using the Bible is what turns people off. Using the hypocrisy and hate to pass laws that hurt people is what turns people off.

I learned these lessons early in life.

Modern Christianity has sown the seeds of its own demise. Not all Christianity of course, but certainly the "fundamentalist" sort that wants to control what others do and say.

Comments

[ex_inklessej388]

As a devout Christian (but not American, and not evangelical) I am inclined to agree with you. And I have to add my own frustration with dealing with these so-called fellow Christians. Most of my time spent speaking with non-Christians about Christianity is dispelling what the loudest voices within the western Christian faith have spewed falsely about our faith, Jesus and His teachings. If only there was an authority who could call out these heretics for what they are...

[dewline]

Positive exemplars...John Pavlovitz, Raphael Warnock and who else?

[jazzyjj]

Preach it! This is exactly what has happened with a friend of mine. I cannot disclose many details on here, but most of his living family is conservative Christian and are shunning him. Some aren't, but the problem is that the members who are shunning him control the family finances and absolutely refuse to let down their guard. As a baptized Christian whose church is very open and tolerant, this really bothers me. Ironically enough, my parish just hired a new rector about 2 weeks prior to the start of the pandemic. Though worship has since been held on Zoom, she hasn't really gotten to know many of us.

[airiefairie]

On the other hand...

I could list hundreds of links of Christian organisations that serve the poor often by working with public sector organisations.

A closer look at the candidates for Christian schools shows people of character trying to build up students of character.

For every hideous Westboro Baptist there are hundreds of churches devoted to service and loving their fellow man.

Of course that does not negate the brainwashing of children, the extremist views and actions of fundamentalists, or the abuses from people of power. But context matters, and the larger picture does matter.