(*On a quick note, I changed hosts for my blog over the weekend and if you encounter any problems, I’m so sorry. They are being worked on!)
I just finished reading a survey and as I write this, am literally boiling with a combination of red-hot anger and red-hot despair.
The Bliss Institute recently commissioned a study on what “Conservative Religious Activists” deem important and what “Progressive Activists” deem important. You can download the entire study here, but for definition’s sake:
“Conservative and progressive religious activists have distinct profiles in terms of affiliation, practice, and belief”
“Conservative religious activists are almost exclusively Christian.”
“Progressive activists are markedly more diverse in terms of religious affiliation. No single faith tradition makes up a majority of progressive religious activists.”
I’ll let the chart do it’s work, but let’s just say that only 23% of us “Christians” (the survey defined it even further as a majority of Christians being mainline protestant, um, people like you and me) think that poverty is an issue we should stand behind and fight.
The red in the survey represents a majority of “Christian” folk.
The blue is just your average, ordinary Joe.
Jesus himself said something about how people will know we are followers of Christ. (John 13:35)
According to this survey people will know we follow Christ by how much we fight gay marriage and not poverty and disease.
We care so much about abortion, about children before they are born. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
However, I’m wondering if the phrase “Sanctity of Life” in our political language should be changed to “Sanctity of the American Unborn” because according to these statistics, there are quite a few people who don’t care what happens to the child (or the parents or the siblings) once that baby is actually born.
If they these people really did care, well, actions speak louder than words…
…What about the 30,000 children who starve to death every day because of hunger?
Or the millions who die from malaria each year?
Or the millions who die from diarrhea because they have no clean water.
This is horrific.
This must change.
We must begin to engage this “Christian” world view that poverty is not an issue and help them see that caring for the poor is at the very heart of Christ.
I don’t know what that looks like yet, but we’ve got to start somewhere.
Comments
141 responses to “Breaking News: New Survey”
Sorry for the abrupt comment, but I am just testing them on the new host.
If you look at the research data (at the actual Bliss site), it seems that this a narrow-focused, not-to-scientifically successful survey, spread out over a long time. I wonder if they would publish the list of ‘activists’ they actually sent out to & received samples from (less than 45% of those asked)… because they were allowed to select the initial list to draw sampling from, wouldn’t it seem possible that the survey could be skewed from the beginning?
This survey can be put in the circular bin…and I’m sure that the RNC Chair, Mr. Bliss (whom the institute is named for) would be boiling about this rubbish.
Thanks for sharing & I pray that these students who prepared this can see more clearly in the future, rather thank spread lies through this method of propaganda…
and in follow-up, yes, I understand that the authors are PhD’s, etc w/ tenure at this institute…but aren’t we all perpetual ‘students’?
.-= Phil?s last blog ..Christian Daily Devotional…mirrors teachings this weekend @ Central… =-.
Phil have you ever been to Africa? Or any third world country? Do you dispute the fact that we hear exponentially more about gay marriage and abortion from the pulpit than we do about poverty? Do you dispute the fact that 18 million people die each year from causes directly linked to poverty? The Bible makes over 3,000 references to helping the poor and yet we Christians ignore God’s plea. Call it liberal or skewed or whatever you want but there is no disputing the fact that we would rather build shiny new church building than save starving people. Period. In a nutshell: we know people are suffering and dying, we have the power to help many of them, and we don’t do it.
I’m not buying it. (Beautifully written and illustrated, by the way, Anne.)
37% of statistics are made up. ; )
Seriously, studies can be found to make the opposite case as well. Or at least make the disparity not quite so stark.
There’s a study I blogged about once that showed political self-defined “liberals” give less than politically self-defined “conservatives”, for instance. The political scientist doing the study pondered a guess as to why: liberals care about the poor, sick, exploited, etc but take their action against it through government primarily. Conservatives, he found, cared just as much but took their action through church tithes, volunteering and donations to charities.
The number in each group giving their time AND money was abysmal. We all suck, and I fear labeling one group as suckier than another divides more than motivates.
But again, love the chart and infoporn contained therein.
.-= Shaun Groves?s last blog ..5 Ways To Lose/Win An Argument On-line =-.
The last Barna study had it at 14% of “Christians” considered poverty an issue the church should take lead on. So this gave me a little hope that it was at least improving…
I do buy it, or at least what it represents.
Even the IRS and census studies on charitable giving have poverty way, way below in comparison to other non-profits. It’s been surprising in my own life who has been more open to giving and who has not, the latter often being a “church” or “religious conservative” or whatever. So many times I’ve seen non-Christians act more like Jesus than Christians.
If we have been Jesus to the world, than why is the Muslim faith growing so fast? If we are living an example of the Holy Spirit than why aren’t people drawn to it?
They’ll know we’re followers of Christ by our LOVE for each other. But statistically, in many, many forums, that has not been proven the case.
And God bless the Christians who do live a life of love and charity. WE NEED YOU.
Procreation.
Sorry, that’s in answer to the Muslim question.
You know me well. You know I get frustrated with we Christians as I travel around speaking about poverty and mobilizing them to give through Compassion, but…
thousands do give. We agree on that. Where we might disagree (might) is on who is giving and who isn’t and whether or not you or I or a study can determine that very accurately. Liberal or conservative – again – both sucky givers. It creates tangents to discuss who’s suckier. That’s all.
.-= Shaun Groves?s last blog ..5 Ways To Lose/Win An Argument On-line =-.
Did you hear about that Muslim thing off a survey somewhere? :-)
statistics or no statistics… all you have to do is get to know christian people of all sorts and you’ll soon find where their priorities are. i can get christians to give (through momentary persuasion) but i can not get them to carry out a life of compassion. that seems to come through revelation and not persuasion.
.-= JuliaKate?s last blog ..Red Velvet =-.
You said it much better than I ever could. My thoughts exactly :)
Until people know the poor, they will never care for the poor. Our North American world so suffocates and creates these comfortable existences that so many of us curl up into. It takes a good loving shake from Jesus now again to open up my eyes to see what is beyond.
And of course the words of Anne. Deep thanks for posting this Anne.
I think it is interesting that these survey results get us all pissed off (at ourselves) but would not surprise a progressive/liberal non-Christian. This is what they expect of us, right? Whether or not it is actually true is a whole other matter.
I agree with what Elle — we care about what we are familiar with. American Christians are not surrounded by poverty. We are, however, surrounded by debates about abortion and gay marriage. Those debates are mostly stirred up by the media, but we certainly don’t redirect the conversation much.
I bet if we were to ask Christians who regularly visit or work in developing countries (or our own Appalachia) they would tell us that the plight of the poor is the most important issue to them.
Sadly, most American Christians don’t get out enough. We have no concept of what the rest of the world is like.
It energizes me to see you angry about this, Anne. I hope that we can incite a change.
.-= Hillary?s last blog ..The best parenting advice =-.
Hillary, I agree with everything you wrote except that American Christians are surrounded by poverty. I would say we are good at ignoring it. I live in a nice community outside of LA and I see homeless people just blocks from my home everyday. We know that poverty exists here and even more so in other countries, we would just rather live in our make believe worlds where we don’t deal with it.
On the positive side, I think my generation(Y) has a lot of young Christians who are concerned with poverty and outreach. Many of us feel like the “American dream,” that even our Christian mothers and fathers have taught us, is a lie. We are looking for authentic faith in the context of serving outside our comfortable middle class lives.
.-= Kristi?s last blog ..Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours. =-.
Anne…take a deep breath. I just read this report and there are so many holes and flaws in the research it’s not even remotely funny.
First, you don’t get to see the actual questions that were asked of people. That can allow the authors of the piece to spin their questions and data results to a predetermined conclusion. (Which, the piece doesn’t say what they were hoping to find in the actual study.)
Second, when you see their “progressive” side of the spectrum has significantly few Christians involved it can easily explain the differences in number. For example, the abortion statistics. The progressive side would see it as less than a priority because right now it’s virtual abortion on demand. If the tables were turned around and there was no abortion you would see the numbers flip flopped in such a survey.
Third, look at this statement: “Only 13% of conservative activists agree that more environmental protection is needed even if it raises prices or costs jobs.” That’s very misleading because it’s not telling you how many conservatives believe there needs to be more environmental protection…only those who believe it should if it raises prices or costs jobs. What’s the total of conservatives who think we need more environmental protection but think we can do it without raising prices or costing jobs?
Don’t get me wrong…I think the church as a whole has significant problems with taking care of the poor or needy. The fact that I lost quite a few twitter followers today because I’ve been tweeting on National Human Trafficking Day tells me a lot of Christians want to stick their head in the sand. Still, this survey as shown is not a fairly balanced project with obviously impartial questions.
.-= Jason?s last blog ..The 15 year old Catholic school girl sex slave =-.
PS I can’t take a deep breath about this stuff. Sorry. It’s the principle. Not the details. The fact that a post on being gay is my third most read post in the history of my blog and all my “poverty” posts combine don’t even come close to it’s pageviews is proof enough for me.
I’m sorry…but I think you’re wrong in it being the principles and not the details. If you are going to hold up a survey to support your view on issues then the details of that survey are relevant to discussions.
I love your passion for wanting to help the poor. That doesn’t mean this survey you mentioned is solid research. I can see you easily make a case that your lack of traffic on poverty posts vs. the gay posts shows a telling tale but even in that there are other factors.
Sorry if it seems like I’m jumping on you…I’m not. I just think this survey you quoted is just too flawed to be considered valid.
.-= Jason?s last blog ..The 15 year old Catholic school girl sex slave =-.
Principle=people die because Christians aren’t doing enough.
Nope, pretty sure that is most important.
Details = things to prove to people what you’re saying has validity. I don’t see where you can be credible having one without the other. However, it’s obvious we’re not going to agree here so have a good afternoon.
.-= Jason?s last blog ..The 15 year old Catholic school girl sex slave =-.
Bible=validity. Holding a dying baby in India this past May=validity. 3 homeless people dead in Nashville over the last week because of cold=validity.
If you disagree with that than I’m sorry.
Didn’t say I disagree with that Anne. I’m disappointed you would try to paint me in that manner.
.-= Jason?s last blog ..The 15 year old Catholic school girl sex slave =-.
Not painting you that way. Giving credibility to the intention behind my post since the numbers didn’t do it for you.
Sorry you see it that way.
Jackson out.
I buy it… Mississippi (my state) is the most religious in the union in all categories measured this Dec by Pew Forum. Yet, we are #1 in poverty, teen preg, obesity, std’s and at the top in dropout rate… the gap is alarming.
It means, in MS, one does not affect the other, that is, religion does not affect behavior. Wow! Really?
Thanks for your gr8 post, we’re trying to address the gap. Thank you for doing it too.
Though I don’t have the facts to back it up, but I did hear recently that MS is #1 in charitable giving. Yes, it’s high in poverty, high in teenage pregnancy, etc., but I think education is a HUGE influence in that. It’s not because there isn’t help there.
That said. I do think we Christians suck at taking care of our impoverished brothers and sisters. Period.
Why is it the first thing christians want to do when a study comes out basically telling us what we already know (Anne said it perfectly already, so I won’t), the first thing we want to do is try and disprove it, instead of take it for what it’s worth and improve things?
.-= joshua?s last blog ..Love This Quote? =-.
Joshua…do you think just because someone does a survey that it’s automatically correct?
.-= Jason?s last blog ..The 15 year old Catholic school girl sex slave =-.
not a chance. but historically speaking this is the same thing we do EVERY TIME.
.-= joshua?s last blog ..Love This Quote? =-.
All I’m saying, is there is NOTHING in that data that makes me take a step back and say “hmm, I bet that’s not right.”
Every thing in there looks like things I’ve either already known or suspected for a long time. Hell, I’ve spent the last seven years of my life working for a church and that’s all the proof of those stats I needed.
The last election was proof enough. If I see one more bumper sticker that says “you can’t be Christian and Pro-Choice” or “you can’t be Christian and pro same-sex marriage” I might lose my mind.
.-= joshua?s last blog ..Love This Quote? =-.
There are multiple, very reputable research firms conducting research on this topic. Go find any one. The numbers may vary but legit research companies spend a lot of time and money to be legit. Will there be holes? Yes. That’s what error margin is for. It’s the trend that matters not the specific number of any particular survey.
Info porn means not legit research. This is a legit research firm.
The margin for error cannot correct for the flawed presuppositions that went into the creation of this survey. See my (way too long, sorry) reply below.
.-= Mike Raburn?s last blog ..meeting God at the changing table =-.
I was in media for 20 years and dealt with all kinds of studies being given to us so I’m naturally skeptical of any study. The fact this one doesn’t show the questions and some of the reports quote responses with multiple factors as a single factor make me question the overall report.
I just don’t think it’s as simple as this report wants to make it believe. Sure, churches can do better but all this report seems to do is reinforce both sides of the political spectrum in their established beliefs.
.-= Jason?s last blog ..The 15 year old Catholic school girl sex slave =-.
I think we can all get caught up in the #’s here but the simple fact that ANY poverty exists should be catalyst enough for us to want to do more. The % really doesn’t matter to the guy or girl starving on the streets. This argument above illustrates the point that we can so easily get distracted by details that are just meant to pull us away from the real issue. I have no doubt the study is riddled with holes but we all know, in our hearts, the fundamental issue is real.
If I’m reading this correctly, I think the way the survey question is worded yields a heavily skewed and not completely accurate picture.
It looks like the respondents were only asked to give one answer (one single, highest priority), rather than, for example, to rank issues in order of importance or assign a numerical value of 1-10 to “how important” they thought each of the issues was.
I do think more conservative activists should be more concerned about extreme poverty and “life” issues other than abortion. But my guess is that a good number of conservative activists are more concerned about those issues than the results of this one survey would indicate. Just because they didn’t choose a particular issue as “most important” doesn’t mean they don’t think it’s still highly important. Does it? Isn’t it possible for someone to rank abortion as “highest priority” but to still be really concerned about global poverty?
So, I don’t think the survey results really support the statement that:
“only 23% of us ?Christians? . . . think that poverty is an issue we should stand behind and fight.”
Or do they?
*caveat – I only read the summary offered here. I didn’t go to the link and download the whole study.
I like your blog, btw.
Anne, I am very sad to say, I know this to be true, at least in my world of the Republi-Christian South. Our church does a lot of serving the poor, widows, incarcerated, mentally impaired, elderly, homeless etc. BUT I was very shocked to learn that, in a congregation of over 7000, only approx. 500 total volunteer more then once a year! yes, 500 out of 7000. Yet, and this is the very best part, that 500 kick the devils butt!!! The devil, our flesh, everything tells us to not care, to let the poor fend for themselves, religious people like to justify staying away with “if a man doesn’t work he doesn’t eat” but that is trumped with the words of Jesus telling me to feed, clothe, visit, the least of these. Jesus gives so many commands concerning the poor, children, etc. Every one of the 500 who do serve the least of these at our church have not burned out, no, they have been changed, awakened, fallin madly in love with the poor, the homeless, the elderly, the widow, the incarcerated, the drug dealing thug, the prostitute, the stripper, the orphan. It’s such an amazing thing. SO amazing and exciting. Now, our job is to encourage serving the poor, show the other 6500 what they are missing. My life is so blessed Anne. I cry, I weep, I get frustrated when people go back to their pain and hurt instead of clinging to Jesus. But we are all Gods children and we learn so much from the poor, they are us, we get to see Jesus when we are with them. THAT is why the devil keeps so many Christians entangled in Gay marriage and abortion debates, he doesn’t want them to know the blessing that is being with the poor. Thank you for posting this. I pray this is one step closer to changing hearts.
.-= Carole Turner?s last blog ..Action Grows Love =-.
Thank you for your real life example. Nobody can debate that.
Sorry this isn’t related to the substance of your post (but I can see where you’re coming from)
Speaking as a progressive (although I prefer big fat liberal) who is also a Christian I’m not fussed on the line
“The red in the survey represents us ?Christian? folk.”
It doesn’t. It represents some Christians… Yup I’m an ordinary Joe but I pray to the same God you do.
Side note: I would be considered “blue” if I was given the survey. :)
Also, I changed the wording there as it was too general.
I understand that statistics can be flawed, but even if they are semi-close, we Christians need to WAKE UP! My faith community sits in the downtown area of Muskegon, Michigan, which is full of all sorts of diversity, beauty, and yet a crazy amount of need. The building we occupy was left by another church so as to escape the poverty and diversity that surrounds it. This other church is a homogenous and well off group who were scared and uncomfortable. We’ve jumped in head first and it is overwhelming and we don’t feel completely prepared, but we have to start somewhere. God pop the bubble we currently live in and drive us to those in need of your grace and peace. Thanks Anne for turning the alarm on, may we not hit snooze.
.-= Wally Harrison?s last blog ..Overwhelmed & Underprepared =-.
Wally. Amen, brother! I will pray for you, and your’s in Muskegon, Michigan–Keep doing what you are doing. Onward and Upward, buddy…..
Anne: These statistics appear to track precisely with the Christian political platform that has dominated the airwaves for the past few decades. Like it or not, PR talking points influence our thinking. Many Christians (particularly those who have limited their intake of information to Christian-only sources) have been a captive audience to a particular set of strong and repetitive messages long enough that they are (inadvertently in most cases) confusing political messages with the message of the Gospel. Turning this around without perpetuating the factionalization that has become de riguer in the American church is a formidable challenge. It will require people to learn to remain in non-judgmental conversation about what it means to live a Christian live even when they disagree: conflict management skills that appear to be sorely lacking among people of faith.
I just read the report (thanks for the link) and I see a couple of problems with it.
First, the study breaks its respondents into two categories “conservative religious activists” and “progressive religious activists,” yet no mention is made of what these labels specifically name, or how the respondents came to be so labeled. The appendix tracks different sample sizes and collection rates for the two groups. Does this suggest the participants were pre-indentified as being either conservative or progressive, or were these labels self-reported? Did respondents have the option of refusing to be labeled as one or the other? Preset labels often lead only to confirming expectations (or self-fulfilling prophecies).
This leads me to the more fundamental problem at work here. When Christians allow these discussions to divide along the standard fault line, we allow the debate to be framed before and without our input. I think the Christian response should be to refuse to be labeled as either progressive or conservative, to disallow the system to do the thinking and deciding for us. Our role is not to be yet another player at the political table; our role is to prophetically speak the Gospel into all of these issues.
As Christians, we should be deeply saddened anytime an abortion occurs; we should equally saddened whenever people go hungry or have no shelter. Each marks a failure of the church in the community where it occurs to love and serve, the woman who has become desperate enough to kill her own child, the person whose empty stomach cries out to be filled, the one who sleeps exposed to the elements. Jesus warned us not to leave HIM in these conditions. He did not tell us to have government take care of him, or let capitalism trickle down his way. No, he tells us what he told his disciples: “You give them something to eat.” Whenever we dare to obey, miracles follow.
Gosh, I didn’t mean to take over here, sorry to be so long. In short, this survey looks like sloppy research confirming unimaginative thinking. Through the power of Jesus, we can do so much better.
mike
.-= Mike Raburn?s last blog ..meeting God at the changing table =-.
Two questions that come to mind…
1) How do they define “Conservative” and “Progressive?”
I find an increasing number of Christians today don’t really fall into the traditional use of either of these categories.
2) How many progressives are actually doing something about their “most important” issues?
My experience is that progressives/liberals think poverty, health care, and the environment are very important issues but they think it’s the governments responsibility to address these issues so they don’t actually give any time or money to bring about a change.
I think you are much more likely to see Christians both progressive and conservative sponsoring children, building orphanages, volunteering in health clinics, etc. Though certainly a lot more could be done.
.-= Paul Steinbrueck?s last blog ..Are Your New Year?s Resolutions SMART? =-.
I have read your blog and the comments Anne and respect them all (since everyone is entitled to their own opinion). Personally I don’t put much stock in surveys at all, either for or against what I believe. My take away from this is simple; what am i doing in my neck of the woods? If acting like a “reddie” then I have much to get to work on. If acting like a “blueie” then I can pat myself on the back but not stopping doing what I am doing that allows me to pat myself on the back. I see the pendulum swinging both ways-one side all about doctrine and one side all about social work. Can we not do both and not care who gets/doesn’t get the credit? Just my thoughts. :)
.-= Bill (cycleguy)?s last blog ..Spill Update & Request =-.
Maybe I’m just too jaded, but none of that is surprising.
Perhaps I’ve already gone through my simultaneous “boiling with anger and sadness” stages, but I don’t have to know this survey exists to know what the results would be. The existence of something like this http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/ told me what the results would be already.
I hear jaded is the step after “boiling anger and sadness” for us progressive Christians.
Not sure where the step is for doing something that brings about change…but I’d like to get to it already.
.-= Danny Bixby?s last blog ..Virtual Church Poll Rant =-.
Volunteer at your red cross, buy a biosand well from blood water, pay off debt and support a local homeless shelter, bring food to people that don’t look like they have any, sponsor a child, etc.,etc…just some suggestions :)
And great suggestions they are! Working on it ;)
I meant more along the lines of changing the mindset, influencing priorities and all from the larger/corporate community level.
Not to take anything away from the individual side of it either.
I think we influence by living a life of an example. And refusing to shut up no matter how many people pick apart surveys when the trend is obvious.
I’m a fan of influence by example, for reals. It never seems to be enough though. I’m sure you know.
This is very much in line with other research that already showed the same thing. If it makes you feel better, note that this is only a survey about ACTIVISTS, that is, people who are either professionally engaged in advocating on issues or who spend large amounts of time advocating on issues as volunteers. The survey targeted activists, not Christians as a whole.
That said, I think it’s accurate. We know that conservative evangelicals are much more likely to say they vote on abortion or gay rights issues alone. So it’s not surprising that the advocates who come from the conservative evangelical view would do the same.
I disagree with Jason’s assessment above. The survey methodology seems solid, and the authors know what they’re doing. They had a good sample size, seem to have targeted respondents in the right way, and asked about issues that are pretty standard for research of this nature. It’s not standard practice to include the questions on a report like this (there were probably 10+ pages of questions for respondents), but I’m sure they’d be willing to send them to you if you asked (or might even have it posted on their websites, as this is increasingly common).
.-= Laura @ Texas in Africa?s last blog ..what is a kenyan? =-.
EXACTLY.
I am not here to argue numbers or debate validity of surveys. If I thought it not valid, I wouldn’t have posted it.
The point is the trend.
The point is my post on being gay has more pageviews than any of my “poverty” posts do combined.
That’s not an official survey, but it sure says a hell of a lot to confirm what these surveys say.
yup.
.-= joshua?s last blog ..Love This Quote? =-.
But is the solution to turn “red” Christians into “blue” Christians, or to call the whole distinction into question? I agree that the survey results and your own pageview example are troubling, but I find them troubling because the church continues to allow both sides of the American political system to divide us in a ploy for votes.
We need to refuse to allow their wedge issue tactics to work. We cannot speak as progressives or as conservatives and speak as Christians at the same time. Jesus rejected all the political options of his day and created a new one: the kingdom of God. Therein lies the only Christian political option. No other can bear his name.
Every American Christian needs to read John Howard Yoder’s The Politics of Jesus. Until we get this, we’re still just pawns in an unholy system.
.-= Mike Raburn?s last blog ..Prayer: Put your name on me Lord. =-.
If the point is that on the whole, conservative Christians don’t do as much as they could/should to address issues of poverty, homelessness, hunger and the like, then I don’t see how anyone could really argue with you.
On the whole though, I think more conservative Christians are doing more than they did a couple of decades ago when people like Ron Sider, Tony Campolo and Jim Wallis started making noise about the issue. And a lot that does get done on the poverty and human suffering front by groups like Samaritan’s purse, John and Huldah Buntain’s Mission of Mercy in Calcutta, or even less-PC ministries like Pat Robertson’s or Jerry Falwell’s, goes unreported. But yeah there’s still a lot more that should be done.
The other thing not mentioned on either side was the 27 million people that are currently in slavery. Including around 20,000 in the US (mostly in slavery as prostitutes.)
I will say that if you had a top 3 it would be a better survey. I am a liberal (progressive) religious person (not sure I am an activist). But I am not sure I would put poverty as my number one. If the list is US only then I would put other things first (probably health care) because so many people continue to have poverty issue because of systemic issues that are not limited to general poverty.
I think poverty is incredibly important (more outside the US then inside the US). But sometimes you need to deal with things together to solve them. So in many countries you need to deal with political and business corruption in concert with poverty alleviation because otherwise those that are poor will not be able to get out of the cycle of poverty that they are in.
.-= Adam S?s last blog ..Just Courage by Gary A. Haugen =-.
Well said Anne!
.-= Wally Harrison?s last blog ..Overwhelmed & Underprepared =-.
Hey Anne,
It’s Josh from the Venture Office. I just taught a breakout session about Extreme Poverty, Modern Day Slavery, and issues of Clean Water and how both Yahweh and Christ call us to respond in some form or another. Check the parable of the goats and the sheep in Matthew or Jesus’ mission statement in Luke 4:18-19.
Needless to say, I hear ya, I feel ya, and let’s do something about it!
Anne,
Sorry, but the actual report is very misleading. It can be easy to spin ideology on how Christians and progressives feel about issues.
However, the real question should be: Who actually helps those in poverty more, Christians or progressives?
That is where the rubber meets the road, Anne, and I believe your doing a disservice to Christians by not going with hard facts about what Christians do.
I suggest you read up on charitable giving:
http://www.npt.org/philanthropy/philanthropy_stats.asp
John Stossel did a great piece on giving by location:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2682730&page=1
Of the top 25 states according to charitable giving, 24 weren’t ‘progressive’.
In the end, I certainly agree that Christians need to become more active on poverty, and helping the ‘least of these’ far more than we do. It is certainly a tragedy when you see pastors talk more about what’s wrong with the world, as opposed to helping them in the name of Jesus Christ.
However, its not as easy as asking the questions that the survey supposedly asked.
Just paints a picture. Your surveys are just as valid as this one.
The point is we need to be doing more.
Anne, love your heart on this. (Man, that sounded like, “Bless your heart” — sorry…)
But I was gonna post the same links, about who actually DOES the giving… everybody beat me to it.
In my world, I keep advocating for giving to the poor, but it’s also made difficult when Christians have been educated for years, in American churches, that they are to interpret O.T. levitical tithes as now meaning “your first 10% is to go to the local church”, rather than to the poverty-stricken, to pay for staff and programs and services. Then those church leaders will give a fraction to the poor.
Perhaps we should teach that we are not, actually, subject to legal tithes, there is no 10% tithe in the N.T. church, and — guess what — 100%, not 10%, of your money is owned by a God who loves the widow and orphan. Now freely give, and not under compulsion.
This is no small point. We make that heart/mind change, away from “the Bible says you have to support my salary here”, and we’d instantly free up tens of billions a year to revolutionize the world.
Do-able? Very. Realistic? Well…
Anne,
does this really surprise you? i think all we have to do is watch charitable giving or read the latest Rob Bell book to know that Christians could, just by tithing, take care of poverty and have surplus to do real ministry, but people are afraid to talk about “their” money. that’s meddling. (sorry, no sarcasm button on your blog comments) i don’t know if the data is accurate or not, but there is a problem. thanks for being honest about it. for such an “introvert” you’ve got a quite a bit of “prophet” in you. i know how that is. breaking hard soil is painful because you have to do it with your nose.
thanks chuck.
rob bell also told me not to let my passion become annoying but there are just some days i can’t stop.
Don’t worry, I’m sure Jesus was incredibly annoying.
That made me laugh out loud. I needed a laugh :) Thank you.
Well good! You’re quite welcome.
proph?et (prft)
n.
1. A person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the interpreter through whom the will of a god is expressed.
2. A person gifted with profound moral insight and exceptional powers of expression.
3. A predictor; a soothsayer.
4. The chief spokesperson of a movement or cause.
definitions 2 and 4 apply here, oh and…
we can’t stop, but we might get stoned….
The catch is that we’d have to actually spend our tithes on the poor instead of on ourselves (better sound system, cooler VBS, cooler youth group activities).
Amen, sister.
.-= Kristi?s last blog ..Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours. =-.
Having read just your description and the executive summary (ok, I skimmed the ES), I’d like to point out one thing that was immediately telling to me – the title” “A Comparative Portrait…in the 2008 Election…”
If I am asked “what do you think is the biggest problem in the world today,” my answer will be very different than if I am asked, “what is the most important issue to you IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.” Because when it comes down to it, a politician agreeing with my stance on abortion is often a very good litmus test to see if they agree with me on other issues (big gov’t/small gov’t, “entitlements,” etc.). It is also a very important issue because it is currently an issue that is before congress and other legislative bodies with frequency (as is gay marriage). “Poverty,” on the other hand, is not often brought up in legislatures (at least not without it being disguised under many other names and stuffed with pork). And even if it was, I personally would feel that fighting poverty, homelessness, etc. should be done by individuals and charities, NOT the government.
Does that mean that I don’t _care_ about poverty in my city, state, country, world? Not at all, just that I don’t think it’s the government’s job to address it. But it _is_ the government’s job to address legislation which is currently before them. Like legislation concerning abortion and gay marriage.
So when I (who would probably fall into the “red” category) am asked what’s important to me IN AN ELECTION, I would likely respond with abortion and gay marriage (given the above choices).
.-= Princess Leia?s last blog ..Birthday! =-.
You make a good point, but how is a candidate’s stance on abortion a logical indicator of their stance on “big govt/small govt”? I’m pro-life too, but if you want to be technical about it, banning or restricting abortions would be more accurately labeled “big govt,” not “small govt.”
I think what you meant is that if a candidate is pro-life, they are probably a Republican, which means they are “against big govt” etc. etc.
That’s a different ballgame.
Thanks for your post Anne. I grew up most of my life in churches that spent a lot of time, effort and money ministering to people INSIDE their walls, but only a token amount (if any) on the needs of the community, and to be honest, that never bothered me.
What I mean by that is I was never confronted with the reality of how great the needs were, because no one was really talking about it (and I probably wasn’t listening if they were).
I moved to Charleston, SC a year or so ago, and found a great church (Seacoast Church) that is heavily involved in reaching out to the needs of the local and global community. It has changed and challenged me tremendously in this area.
I’ve come to realize that true Christianity is not about getting people to come to church, or a conference, or a great concert to get saved. It’s not about going to church and reading your bible. It’s not even about being “good” (whatever that means). It’s about taking the gospel of Christ to those who are lost and in need. And if we do that without meeting their needs at the same time, we still fall very short of Christ’s mandate.
I have no problem believing the “trend” that this survey shows (whether or not the numbers are totally accurate). Carole’s comment cut me to the heart. If everyone who claimed to be a Christian got involved and gave just a little of their time and money, the impact would be HUGE. If we all actually gave sacrificially…well you get the idea.
I know I don’t do enough. God help us all see those in need with your eyes, and respond with your heart!
.-= Kit Palmer?s last blog ..WordPress 2.9.1 =-.
By the way, I don’t blog for WordPress.
.-= Kit Palmer?s last blog ..Seacoast Worship Recap (01/10/10) =-.
We are trying to debate whether or not this is true.
I speak to Christians. That graph reflects their m.o..
“Lets go after the Republican dangled carrots of same-sex marriage and abortion, nevermind anything else in the world.”
.-= Joseph Louthan?s last blog ..Calvin?s Institutes of Christian Religion in One Year? Do It! =-.
Great post ….
Recommended reading: “The Hole in Our Gospel” by Richard Stearns
Hmmm. Rather than debate who is doing more, why don’t we look into our own hearts individually and ask “what am I doing right now?”
Frankly, I don’t care what self-identified activists say one way or the other. The question is: What am I doing and what am I encouraging to be done? I don’t think I’ll throw stones on this one. As a guy named Paul would say, “I don’t even judge myself…”
Whether or not the data is accurate is well…. prettyinconsequential to me.
The statistics are disturbing. But instead of pointing the finger at all the Christians and how they are/are not doing enough, all we are called to do is look at ourselves (just me, not the collective). Am I doing enough?
Do I love people? Do they see Christ through my love? Or I am so busy pointing the finger at others that all they see is me fighting with my neighbor over stupid things like statistics?
.-= Lindsey Nobles?s last blog ..?Always Give God The Glory? =-.
Woah. Preach it Sister! Word to your Mother.!!
This doesn’t surprise me. And can I just say that few things make my blood boil more than Christians voting Republican solely because of abortion with little or no knowledge of the rest of their candidate’s platform?
However, as an academic I do have one big problem with this article, and that is that the terms “progressive” and “conservative” are never defined. We don’t actually know who the heck they’re talking about when they refer to “conservatives” and “progressives”. If you’re going to compare and contrast two groups in a research article, you have to explain at the outset how you came up with those two categories and what they mean. Otherwise, the research does nothing but tell us who “counts” as “progressive” or “conservative.” Based on this study, it would seem that we evangelical Christians who care about the poor are more suitably labeled “progressive” than “conservative.” But these two terms are NOT universal, as seen by the fact that Anne called herself conservative…
I second Betsy’s recommendation of “The Hole in Our Gospel” by Stearns and also Danny’s reminder that, to the religious elite, Jesus was pretty annoying!
Great post, Anne.
.-= Rachel H. Evans?s last blog ..On Resenting Anne Jackson =-.
“The poor you will have with you always.” Jesus. Mt. 26:11.
The Israelites were not required to take care of the poor among Gentiles, only among themselves. Lots of folks die every day: the young, the old; the born, the unborn; the rich, the poor; the sick and diseased. God knows everyone of their names and the number of hairs on their heads. A sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground but that God knows it. Folks do what they can and feel they want to.
Unka
Is it any wonder that most non-religious folks have such a negative view of Christianity? Our words and our actions don’t align–and sometimes even our words don’t align.
Its so important that people like you continue you have hearts that truly desire to FOLLOW Christ. Not just like him… or listen to him… or know who he is… but FOLLOW.
And to those who are so concerned over gay marriage: Why aren’t we focusing more on divorce within the church–since the divorce rates look no better for us. (Which they should. Jesus had some choice words about divorce.)
And to those who are so concerned over abortion: If you value life so much, then don’t just force others to not give birth. It just can’t be that simple. We must be the kinds of individuals who celebrate life so much that we will adopt children left and right for the sake of really honoring life. You merely judge those who abort children, if you’re not doing much to promote life to begin with.
Erika – I’ve always said that in order for conservative evangelicals to be consistent on the gay marriage thing they would have to support laws that would ban divorcee remarriage. You don’s see anyone jumping on that, mainly because it’s an issue that actually effects so many evangelicals.
.-= Rachel H. Evans?s last blog ..On Resenting Anne Jackson =-.
Sadly, religious people have no problem walking past the poor without a thought. I think Jesus told a story about that. Not surprised by this, always troubled.
Anne, thank you for writing this! Thank you for letting me know that there are people out there like me. As a 20 year old college student, I am so thankful to be a part of a college ministry that is always reaching out, volunteering, and financially supporting ministries and organizations that fight poverty. However, I am very troubled by the zeal most of the Christians I know have about abortion. If we so long for women to not have abortions, why aren’t we lining up at adoption agencies? We cannot forget to act; we can’t just talk about these things. I have always thought that poverty was the main issue in our time, I think most of my generation agrees with me. I just pray, and hope to someday help lead, the people of God in truly caring for the least of these.
Great insight Katie!
First, thank you for publishing this and raising awareness for our insurrections and chosen blindness.
Second, I won’t sit here and argue statistics or the validity of the research because I think that just takes us away from the real issue at hand… the people and issues to whom we often turn a blind eye.
Third, I am saddened to say how real these numbers seem. I feel like I can say that because I have seen it both here in the states and internationally. In the last three years, I have taken three separate trips to work with the orphaned and poor, the kids the world has forgotten, in a third world country. I remember on my first trip I sat there, driving through slums, shacks we wouldn’t even store our tools in yet people live in, thinking “How do people live like this? How do we let people live like this?” Each subsequent trip I have heard new team members voice the same concerns. In the town I have lived in for the majority of the last four years, my roommate serves at a soup kitchen every week. Up until a few months ago I had no idea we had a soup kitchen. Poverty, orphans, slavery, starving people, worn torn countries, broken hearts, and so much more are all still there and often we do nothing about it.
Thanks for calling us to take off our own blinders but to also take off the blinders of others!
.-= Jess?s last blog ..Society Against Community =-.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Where did you go? I’ve been in three different countries too.
My apologies for any confusion, those three trips were all to an orphanage in Guatemala City, Guatemala. But, I have also been to Mexico and Puerto Rico to do missions work.
.-= Jess?s last blog ..Society Against Community =-.
satan loves to get the real argument off track… it is easier to talk ugly to each other about what we feel is an incorrect assumption than to just take a real look at what God may be challenging in our behavior. there are people tonight who are going to bed in a house with no heat… my house may not be fab but it is warm.. there are people in south alabama who do not have water tonight because they ran the water tower dry trying to keep their pipes from freezing at night… their community is too poor to build better infrastructure to keep this from happening. there were children at the school my children went to who will not have supper… i cleaned out my refrigerator this weekend and threw away wasted food…
none of us give like we should… none of us really care like we should… because we are just too dang comfortable.
Anne, I want to echo previous comments–be careful of judging other people. Christ really warned against doing so. That said, poverty is just one of the many problems the human race has. There is no way any one of us or any group of us can totally solve the problem. For example, I imagine for every child that is fed through ministries to children, there are many more who go hungry. I encourage you to read Isaiah 25:6-8–God has promised to demolish hunger once and for all. Until that time, be faithful to what God has placed on your heart and pray and pray. Don’t let the inactions of other people rob you of the joy of your salvation. And, do not judge–there’s real danger in judging.
.-= patriciazell?s last blog ..#26 UNDERSTANDING CHRIST: OUTCOMES OF THE CROSS =-.
Wow! What a discussion. I’ve been talking about this issue with my husband recently as it relates to our church. My point to him as been the number of times we hear (from the pulpit) about homosexuality, abortion and other sex-related issues vs. the number of times we hear about poverty.
I don’t know about the statistics in this report or any other. Actually, I’m in the middle of The Hole in Our Gospel and am stuck on the chapter filled with statistics!
Thank you, Anne, for your passion and your voice and your heart. I love it all.
.-= Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect?s last blog ..Jumping in =-.
I skimmed a few of the comments. Yes. Everyone loves to point out the validity or flaws of surveys. However, setting those aside for just a moment… and looking at my OWN experiences with “christians” I can say that the majority of christians I talk to or listen to love to talk about abortion and gay marriage disproportionately to poverty, the environment or other topics listed in that survey. I’m not saying my own experiences validate that study but the general result of the study rings true to me. Which is why I cringe at politics. As a Christian who cares about more than TWO issues I am not represented by politicians of ANY party. :( So I just do the best I can. And I have to say that God has really woken me up this past year to the needs of those in poverty. I’ve changed the way we as a family GIVE as a result. So don’t lose heart Anne. There is lots of room for improvement… but as for me and my house… we’re on our way there. (((hugs)))
.-= Michelle Sidles?s last blog ..Gym Rat =-.
Anne,
Long time reader, first time responder. I have just spent time in Africa with a medical relief service. I’m not a Christian myself, but there I saw Christians who helped to alleviate poverty and those that were a hinderance. I don’t see why there is a problem with accepting the fact that Christianity is just like all other religions in that is has adherents who care and some that don’t.
First, thanks for reading and sharing your story and helping in Africa. Your words mean more to me than you can realize.
Here is a different take on the statistics.
Thank God there are Liberal Christians who care about poverty. Thank God there are Conservative Christians who care about abortion. Both are right. Both are needed. Both can be doing God’s work and showing God’s love.
1 Cor 12 tells us that we, the Christians, are one body and that God calls us, individually, to different causes. After all, if we were all called to be “feet”, how would we, the body, “hear”? We should not be telling Christians, who pursue other causes that God has laid on their hearts, that they are wrong and not part of the body. Even though they are pursuing other causes they are still part of the body.
Let’s just worry if we, as individuals, have been faithful to what God has called us to and not worry that our fellow Christians are pursuing something different. Finally, let’s also follow Heb 10:24 and encourage others in the causes that God has called them too.
I love this post! As a convert to Christianity who looked at it from the outside for a long time, it’s so refreshing to see this kind of call to action to start really *living* the Gospel.
Something you might find interesting/inspiring/horribly convicting (as I did):
Did you ever see this post by an African missionary? http://tinyurl.com/nhw2na She pointed out that there are about 168.8 million children in the world in dire need…and 2.1 billion people who profess to be Christians. If ONLY 8% of those Christians would help one needy child, all the children would be taken care of! She wrote: “I DO NOT BELIEVE that the God of the universe created too many children in His image and not enough love or food or care to go around. In fact I believe that He created the Body of Christ for just that, to help these little ones, the least of these. And I believe that except for a handful, the Body of Christ is failing.”
Oof.
One last thought that may be worth considering: I think that some people are prioritizing abortion high right now because there is a widespread mindset out there that “that’s not a baby,” i.e. life in the womb is not human. It’s deeply troubling on a whole new level to have a certain class of people rendered *non-human* by large segments of society, and it’s scary enough to make a lot of people very concerned about it right now. But I will say that I’ve recently gotten involved in the pro-life movement and am surprised to see that there’s a very large overlap between people working to change hearts and minds about abortion and people who are involved in maternity homes and other aid programs that offer real help for women in crisis pregnancies.
All that said…I appreciate this call to action to wake up to the dire need that is all around us. Thanks for this post!
.-= Jennifer (Conversion Diary)?s last blog ..10 best links of 2009 =-.
I admonish everyone to start in their own town! … Walk down the street, walk downtown.. I have a feeling you might come home with some statistics of your own…
It starts with You, and I.
Humility.Get.IT. and Live it.
Um, yes I see this. And I’ve been trying to get my head around American culture since I began blogging. Some of what I read on Christian blogs I found myself feeling very hurt and defense during the whole election process.
I agree with the intentions behind your post Anne, and glad that you are bringing these issues up. They absolutely need to be addressed. So THANK YOU for voicing this. A good reminder of what is really important.
But I agree with people who have said details of the evidence you bring to show it DO matter. They bring validity to your argument to the person that DOESN’T necessarily agree with you. We could sit here and debate it forever…but better that we don’t just complain, but we maybe have people do better research, but most importantly that we go around loving others the way Jesus loves them.
By not using our cars so much, by using our reusable shopping bags, by being sensible in recognising our needs from our wants so we can share what we have with others. By not judging but listening. And not ‘othering’ people so much – we’re all human beings, and we’d do well to remember that.
Sorry…rant over….
.-= Laura Anne?s last blog ..LFS Introduces?Rebecca, a student Nurse =-.
Anne – From reading your post, the survey and the comments, it is clear you feel this survey shows Christians are uninterested in the poor. This survey doesn’t show that. Your pageview stats may show this, but the survey doesn’t.
The survey was given to RELIGIOUS conservative ACTIVISTS and RELIGIOUS progressive ACTIVISTS (see the very front page of the report). So all it says is that people who see themselves as religious and conservative and who want to be involved in politics choose to focus on abortion and gay marriage. And people who are religious and progressive and want to be involved in politics choose to focus on poverty and the environment.
I am risking your frustrated reply about focusing on the survey because:
a. I think publicizing a survey about activists is not ideal, since I’m not a big fan of using politics to change the world, and
b. Both groups in the survey (conservative and progressive) are strongly Christian (pg 6), and
c. I am guessing you would rather not post a story that is factually incorrect.
Please KEEP your voice for those who are voiceless! But I humbly ask that you do it in a way that is factually accurate. Mis-reading a survey may not be something that keeps you from Jesus, but for those of us who come from backgrounds that say you can’t love Jesus and be an intellectual, it really hurts us and damages our witness.
In fact, your blog would be a great clearinghouse for asking for links to surveys that DO show that most who self-identify as evangelical Christians see abortion and gay marriage as a bigger issue than poverty. Even if you aren’t an expert on surveys, you are an expert at encouraging people to work together and help each other serve.
Thank you, Anne.
.-= Adrienne?s last blog ..Choosing blessing on January 5th =-.
I share your outrage for the apparent apathy of us Christians, and I wonder about all this often.
It’s interesting that we know so much more now, can help so much more easily and yet I am still in a state of wondering what I can do. Locally, there is a perception that the homeless either “want” to be that way or “deserve” to be that way, so I know that most of the people I come into contact with would rather not help out in that regard at all ather than have “their” money wasted or misused. (through alcohol, etc) Most of my friends would rather help out in a different, more “deserving” country. I suppose it shouldn’t matter as long as we are helping, but this does bother me and make me think.
I’m just asking questions, as I’m really trying to figure this stuff out. As I write this, my church has a team of 8 people all in one of the poorest countries in West Africa for a week. I’m thrilled that my church has such a burden for the poor, and besides this week of visiting them, many of my church friends (myself included) sponsor children there through Compassion International.
But is it ENOUGH? Can it ever be enough? Is it too easy? (to simply send money) Is sending a group to visit truly the best way to impact their lives and lessen their burden?
I’ve no answers….. but it does bother me that Christians in this poll don’t seem to care. I would really hope, with all the Christ says about the least of these, that it would be forefront in our minds, hearts and checkbooks.
(I know I make no sense) I don’t consider myself a liberal or a conservative Christian. Just a Christian.
.-= torybee?s last blog ..Coded Messages =-.
Wow, you opened up a great big can of worms didn’t ya? I think the bottom line is the truth hurts and a lot of your readers don’t want this to really be true. Again, I know it is true. Besides working in the Inner city where even the African American churches are turning their back on the poor I have also been to Ethiopia. Like you Anne, going to a place where mom’s sleep on the side walk with their children, messes you up. I think you’ve stirred a hornet’s nest and it’s a good thing sometime to get people looking inward and like Cal Thomas said, it’s time for Christians to be known for what we are for and not for what we are against. Rick Warren, Shane Claiborne, Shaun Groves, and many, many other Christian leaders of today are working to change this trend. I KNOW progress has been made, as a prominent voice in the Christian community, you posting this will also help open the eyes of some who find it hard to see.
.-= Carole Turner?s last blog ..Action Grows Love =-.
This made an interesting read today!
It interested me that many people leapt to question the validity of the research (which may be flawed, but that’s not the real question), without asking what I think should be the first question – does this fit with my experience of reality? On the whole, can I produce stories off the cuff that refute what the general findings are?
Sadly the answer to that for me is no.
We all know we don’t do enough. I’m not sure that I ever will be able to do ‘enough’, but that’s OK, as long as we at least do ‘something’.
I’ve lived & worked in East Africa for the past 5 years. We came because we wanted to serve the poor, to alleviate suffering – to do ‘something’. It was a choice. We’re not perfect, we haven’t got it all figured out, but we did ‘something’. We’ve many friends who haven’t made the same choice, but they have responded to the clearest possible commands of the gospel to serve in their own ways.
And that’s OK.
What makes me mad (and I love your passion Anne!), is that very often Christians have ignored (what for me are) the clearest parts of the gospel and focused on the parts they can use to question my behaviour/political choices/anything else they don’t like. Rather than focus on what Jesus taught us about love, acceptance, care for the poor, we look for boundary markers to our spirituality we can use to say who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’.
The organisation I run brings a lot of volunteers to Tanzania each year – people of all faiths and none. We see as many (if not more) people of no faith here and wanting to make a difference as people of faith.
And that doesn’t sit right – if I’m taking the commands of Jesus seriously, me and my brothers and sisters in Christ should be leading the way, out numbering my other brothers and sisters 10:1, 100:1, 1000:1…
That I think is the heart of the matter – why aren’t we leading where Jesus taught us to lead?
“We must begin to engage this ?Christian? world view that poverty is not an issue and help them see that caring for the poor is at the very heart of Christ.”
How does this turn into a debate on stats and numbers? Can’t we do more to end poverty? Aren’t Christians supposed to help those in need?
Is the problem that some of us just don’t care about people anymore? I know that the press is the press (and they’re in a completely different league here in the UK), but the prominence and supposed importance that civil partnerships and anti abortionists receive is generally way above poverty and charity. Poverty is generally messy too, are we prepared to get our hands dirty, be it overseas, at home, with the homeless, with our neighbours….people that are “different” to us…people like you and me. Church can be a very comfortable place, often we make it too comfortable.
There was a fascinating story last year about a donkey sanctuary in Devon which received more in charitable donations than a charity that supports women that have been the victims of violent abuse. The NSPCC (children’s charity) receives only ?2m more a year than the RSPCA (animal charity). You could put it down to good marketing. Or that some animals are cute and fluffy. And of course I’m not trying to dismiss animal welfare.
It’s been said before, but if we truly loved one another…well the world would be a different place.
Anne, thank you for always speaking honestly.
I so agree with you–there are more ads about abused and neglected animals and about animals that are on the verge of extinction than there are about children who are abused, neglected, and hungry. It just doesn’t seem right.
.-= patriciazell?s last blog ..#26 UNDERSTANDING CHRIST: OUTCOMES OF THE CROSS =-.
Anne, can I just say that, You Rock. :)
Thanks for caring bout stuff like this.
.-= Gemma?s last blog ..2010. Resolutions simplified. Yeah. =-.
I confirmed this quote with the office of the author, Tony Campolo, before posting it on my website.
“I have three things
I’d like to say today.
First,
while you were
sleeping last night,
30,000 kids
died of starvation
or diseases related
to malnutrition.
Second,
most of you
don’t give a shit.
Third,
what’s worse is
that you’re more upset
with the fact
that I said ‘shit’
than the fact that
30,000 kids died last night.”
By the way, the body count in Nashville during this latest cold snap is up from 3 to 5.
WHEN Jesus came to Golgotha they hanged Him on a tree,
They drave great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary;
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.
When Jesus came to Nashville they simply passed Him by,
They never hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;
For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.
Still Jesus cried, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do,”
And still it rained the wintry rain that drenched Him through and through;
The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall and cried for Calvary.
by
G. A. Studdert Kennedy – The Unutterable Beauty (1927)
http://www.waystations.com
.-= Beres Bartlett ?s last blog ..Love God and do as you please. =-.
Oh, Derek Webb’s latest, controversial album reflects this survey. Though I’m sure they are not connected by any means.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qfOciLpAWM&fmt=18
“Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
.-= berciXcore?s last blog ..Olyan kicsi krumplik vagyunk 2. =-.
Whew, Anne! Rock the casbah… I love it. Why do some people spend so much time, energy and angst defending the fruitless, inactions of the majority of American Christians?
Conviction I guess – and conviction hurts – and then we get offended and mad because we feel like our very Christianity is being questioned, our very salvation.
Next comes the “i dont have to do anything, Jesus did it for me…” argument. Same reason people get upset about “Crazy Love” an start hating Chan or get mad about “The Hole in our Gospel” or other books that might just hurt a little to read.
Makes me wanna SCREAM!
Tom Davis said it and I agree 1,000,000,000% with him and I am fully convinced that God his the secrets to His Kingdom in the lives of the needy.
And I have never, ever been ministered to like i was when I looked in to the eyes of an orphan.
Great post. Thanks!
wow – a lot of really great comments (even if i disagree with some), and more than a few totally stupid ones.
surveys, poverty, abortion, gays, sex, death penalty, STD’s, tithing,giving,sound systems,money,etc. – all hot topics indeed.
but, being narrow minded is probably the ugliest trait of all Christians – and that survey was completed by 95% of the comments above this one. thank you for the free research!
whether you agree or disagree with the survey or its validity, anne’s position or any other person’s position on here – most of you are horribly narrow minded indeed
why don’t you try talking about the subject instead of defending your little egocentric opinions that Christ cares nothing about anyway?
As a conservative who gives and cares about the poor, it saddens me that studies like this seek to divide rather than unite. Anything political makes me skeptical to begin with because polticians always want voters so they’ll tell you what you want to hear to get your vote. I applaud those who are passionate and stand up for the unborn because that is what God has placed in their hearts to do. And I applaud those like you Anne who are passionate about the poor because that is what God has placed in your heart to do. Here’s the thing, all of us who have Christ in our lives need to be more generous with our time and money. And stop thinking of ourselves. I’ve not arrived at all but I’m working every day to live for others rather than myself. Don’t be duped by the political slants of surveys…go out there and make a difference. And pray for the hearts of others to be stirred to action as well.
I am new year , I am from the third, and I was so touch by all the action of some christian like Anna Jackson for those that starved because of lack of food.
This had even brought to desire buy her books and read them.
How we act with our God given resources matter much on this earth and the heaven, and I believe that some have been blessed by God to help those that are not.
This is Christianity , show the love for God as you love the poor and your brother in your church.
Don?t want to write more, but any person on this earth can be in one day poor, God can decide it, so think that everything you have is from God to help other even where you are and where you can.Be Bless
Anne,
I thought of your excellent post when I saw the following offering by Kevin DeYoung. Thought it might be of interest to you and your readers.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/01/12/a-modest-proposal/
By the by, your blog is amazing. You have one of the freshest voices on the Christian online landscape.
Dave
Don’t know if the stats are true or not, but from my experience as an overweight, gay, christian… WAYYYY
more “well-intentioned” Christians take me out to dinner to address me being gay than to address how much I do for the poor or how overweight I am. I mean, they could be taking me out to dinner to ask me to give up some food to get healthier (because my body IS the temple of the Holy Spirit) and at the same time give that food to the hungry or the money it saved to the poor.
I think the stats are WAY more accurate than any of us want to admit. Honestly, I change the channel when the starving african kids come on (sorry, Anne). I do support a kid through World Vision, but I could be doing more. A lot of us “Christians” like to act like we really care, and we justify “how much we do”, but we ALL COULD do more. We simply CHOOSE not to. Jesus himself said to “sell all you have and give to the poor”. Last time I checked, none of us have done that.
Thanks for sharing Vanessa…people can argue stats all day, but they can’t argue real life stories.
i’ve seen poverty in the third-world. it is “supposed” to be there… in the minds of most of us. but seeing firsthand?baby clothes, toys, diapers and a cradle tucked away in the woods on the side of the highway in kansas city … was immediate enough proof for me… that poverty is rampant and it is everywhere.
i don’t need statistics to prove that.
the Christian community as a whole is doing a horrible job of making fighting poverty a priority. we die on a hill for aborted babies, but turn our backs on the baby freezing on the street.
there’s something really wrong with that.
http://www.pinkhairedgirl.net/?p=4045
.-= Crystal Renaud?s last blog ..The Real Me =-.
I tend to be mistrustful of surveys, graphs, diagrams and all that junk when it comes to faith. Mostly because crunching numbers in relation to personal, relational issues feels icky to me.
BUT.
This is terrifying.
This is how holocaust’s happen while white suburban churches watch on the news.
This is how millions die while billions of others sip coffee on a Sunday morning.
This is WHY babies are dying of dehydration on their mothers hips, and backs, and in their arms right now, as we blog and read blogs and comment on blogs.
Because someone -LOTS of someones- were given an opportunity to ponder the importance of an issue and then make a personal reflective statement about that issue. And what they said was “I don’t really care about that. I don’t really care about people that are dying in a foreign lands.”
They said it…out loud. “I don’t care about them.”
It is a travesty for even one human being, Christian or not, to make such a claim. But to come from the church… there are no words…
.-= Jamie, the Very Worst Missionary?s last blog ..Me and my bitches; An object lesson in Worship =-.
Thank you for posting this. I am equally “red-hot” as you are.
* That may have come out wrong.
It didn’t. :)
How pathetic that some of us Christians who whine about the evils of what is done to a baby in the womb care so little about them once they are out of the womb. Just sayin…
The main thing, however, is that we continue to walk in opposition to the embarrassing statistics in this study. Peace.
.-= missional girl?s last blog ..Jesus Matters: Malaysia =-.
Two thoughts…
1. Is this really an issue about caring for the poor? Or is it caring less about our accumulation of more (money, stuff, etc)? The more that keeps us focused on us rather than them. The more that can get in the way between us and God.
Nine Inch Nails said it well…
“God money’s not looking for the cure.
God money’s not concerned about the sick among the pure.
God money let’s go dancing on the backs of the bruised.
The god of money’s not one to choose”
2. I hate to paint with a broad brush but I see people week in and week out who sit in the church merely going through the motions. Not talking about new followers but the career Christians. People who would rather complain about the choice of worship music than to lift a hand to help someone in need. In part though, I blame the church for catering to this apathy. As a church ages many begin to cater more to the tithe than to the challenging nature of God’s word. Sermons get watered down and the “safe” stuff get’s preached so that everyone can feel good when they leave… and check the box just in case this Jesus is real. This to me is the bigger issue. A lot of churches are doing phenomenal with preaching and teaching messages that are right in line with challenging people toward Christ, but a lot of others are just serving up the sugary goodness.
Talk is cheap.
Why isn’t the question about how much money is actually donated by Christians (progressive v. conservative) to charities and the poor? At least that would be some measurable indicator of what issues are “most important,” rather than relying on this pathetically subjective and unverifiable question about what people feel is “most important” – how about what they actually did?
Arthur Brooks, author of “Who Really Cares,” said that when you look at the data, it turns out the conservatives give about 30 percent more than progressives.
there are millions of even poorer people today – in Haiti
This is really disappointing.
.-= Jeff Goins?s last blog ..The Message of the Seasons =-.
We can never do enough. The poor will always be among us.
Irony is that the Haiti earthquake happened a day after this was posted. Today, two days after this post, my Twitter feed is alive with news of churches motivating people to give to Haiti. I saw one church say they would give their entire weekend giving to it (Apostles Church, NYC, JR Vassar, pastor).
Do I just follow the right people?
Yes, many (most) churches won’t even mention it. They miss out on Matthew 25. BUT, what if we highlight those who do, because in the internet circles that we run, more “do” what you’re calling people to than “don’t”?
A lot of people read your blog. You got more comments on this one post that I see views in one week. Highlight churches that “get it.” We’re dying for examples.
JR and I are from the same church (he left about the same time we started on staff there) in TX. Love him.
Dino Rizzo in Baton Rouge and Healing Place Church is a church that really gets it.
.-= Anne Jackson?s last blog ..Unleash =-.
Glad your site is back up! I have been itching to post a reply since I finally got to this in my Google Reader.
I think this survey is very accurate, but I have a feeling that a decent chunk of the Progressive activists are Christians. Not to get political, but I think the main reason that abortion and gay marriage rank so high on Christians priority list is because of programs like Focus on the Family. They push their agendas which largely deal with both of those issues. They also push Republican candidates who know that if they stand on one side or another on the abortion issue will get the ?Christian Right? vote.
What is ludicrous about it is, no matter what happens, who gets elected, year after year nothing changes. It is like a carrot on a stick and people keep voting for it, but I can pretty much guarantee that it will stay the same and should not be an issue when it comes to voting. The gay marriage issue will probably follow a similar path.
Sadly, like you said once a child is born, these Christian ?family voters? feel they have done their job and its not their problem if the child is living in extreme poverty, abuse or neglect? You know real Family issues!
It makes me sick that so called Christians ignore the fact that their are so many poor and hungry people out there and would rather worry about building multi-million dollar facilities. That is why I and I am sure many like me would line up with the blue on the chart. Sure I think abortion is horrible and know what the Bible says about Gay marriage. However, I am smart enough to realize those aren?t going away, but something we could fix would be this poverty issue, or giving children who can?t afford it healthcare. It definitely gives Christians a bad name and shows we aren?t living like Christ when we are more concerned with political parties rather than helping those in need.
Newbie here so sorry if I step on any toes. I have to admit that I do see that trend. I’ve been working for a community youth group (6 churches involved) and have seen really just that. In fact, I don’t even think most of them were really passionate about gay or abortion issues either…
I remember one board meeting that I attended. The members were challenged to think about what we really do…what we stand for..what shows it? I was amazed at how people quickly spoke up about missions and serving those less in need. They said this was a strong value. Yet, the majority never went anywhere. They personally didn’t do anything. I never saw anyone truly reaching out beyond the four walls of the building. Only a small handfull physically did anything at all. The only real thing they did was give financially, but that is minimal for most. Giving a student $25 once a year to support their trip doesn’t really constitute as doing something. (It does help out…but not that much that you can say it’s a huge contribution or passion of yours.)
When asked how the church shows hospitality..reaching out..serving others…the first couple responses were that we have nice flowers outside of the church, we put in new toilets in the men’s bathroom, and we have a ramp for wheel chairs. So I guess it’s good that we have a lovely looking building. Those in need can look at our flowers, pee in new toilets, and use a ramp. Sweet!
Does this represent every single church out there? Not at all. However, it does show what happens when comfort and out-of-sight out-of-mind affects a culture.
Just a newbie’s 2 cents…
Thanks newbie :) I think you have some great points
I haven’t read their findings through all the way (working on that now), I likely won’t read all 128 comments that this post has generated and I am not armed to debate what’s right and not right with this world.
However, I went straight to the back to see how they conducted the research. While I don’t disagree with you, Anne, that our focus is skewed and I believe (based on a cursory review of this study and just life) that our focuses are very often politically charged – I definitely disagree with this study’s sampling of people. (Examples of the progressive groups included are the Interfaith Alliance and Sojourners; examples of the conservative groups are Concerned Women for America and the National Right to Life Committee.) You ask them to fill out a survey asking what their focus is and then touting the study to show that Abortion is a top focus because OF COURSE their focus is abortion. What else would it be – they wouldn’t be a part of that organization if their focus was something other than that.
I don’t see that trend. In fact, the church I attend and most of the churches I know of are the most generous churches on the planet. Why do we as Christians have to be so critical? Yes, we need to look inside ourselves and see what we need to work on. But I think we need to work on the delivery of how we say it. A lot of the comments on here are critical of others and how bad bad bad they are and offer little reflection upon themselves. There’s got to be a way to inspire the church and call them to action without sounding critical and painting all churches with such a broad stroke. I’ll be honest, it’s hard in our selfish society to not live for myself. But more and more, the Holy Spirit is leading me to care, to pray, and to give to those who are less forunate. It’s a battle for sure, but in the end I know God will help me.
That’s “fortunate”. Arrggghh. I hate it when I have typos :)
Someone might have commented on this already, but I’m going to say it anyway. I kind of take issue with you defining christians as conservative. I’m a Christian but I’d fall into the progressive activist side. On the other hand, I’d fall into the progressive activist side precisely because I fight poverty and abuse, not gay marriage. So maybe you’re right after all.
Chill… :) I did not define you. I was simply reporting what the survey had listed as their definitions.
It seems to me that this is representative of a church living in, loving, and longing for a world of Christendom while the man on the street sees that as a thing of the past. The worldview being held out to him is neither needed or wanted…BUT he does want to help others.
.-= almost an M?s last blog ..Great to Good =-.
Is it always this exciting on here? I feel like I want to get a pitch fork and tar and feather someone! Any volunteers?
I think a lot of this all boils down to the saying “perception is reality.” For some they can’t really identify with what Anne posted. It seems jaded or scewed. Maybe they are involved with a local body that is active and alive.
Yet for others, myself included, I can totally see that it makes sense. I work with people that get more upset if the grass is too long or there are finger prints on the piano and not so much that people are starving to death and dying of diseases.
In the least, it’s just a simple challenge to examine our lives, which we need to do anyway. As with anything that involves opinions, eat the meat and spit out the bones.
Now where did I put my pitch fork?
And, dear Anne, it’s not my intention to make you more upset and angry on these issues, but this made me speechless: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/main/slices/religion/19828-more-proof-pat-robertson-doesnt-speak-for-christians
.-= berciXcore?s last blog ..Hitr?l ?s tudom?nyr?l =-.