My friend Jenny — a good evangelical Christian, wonderful mother, encouraging friend and kick-ass Ironman triathlete — commented on a recent post that church-goers steal more newspapers than others. She asks:
Do you really think Atheists behave the same as Christians (not Catholics) — Christians? What are their philanthropic stats? Just wondering.
Well, to the chagrin of evangelical pollsters and leaders, Christians–for the most part–don’t act any differently than atheists. And, in fact, in some categories (divorce rates and racism), evangelicals act worst. For more, read “The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World?” by evangelical Ronald J., Sider. Or check out the polling by evangelical pollster George Barna. Both Christian leaders have come to the conclusion that there is virtually no difference between the behavior of Christians and atheists.
Actually, Jenny is right in that evangelical Christians give more to charity. But there’s a catch. Evangelicals believe that the Bible commands them to give 10% to the church/charity. In fact, only 8% of evangelicals tithe. And on average, they give about 3% to the church/charity (down from 6% in 1968). Yes, it’s more than atheists, but nothing to brag about.
One more study statistic. It showed that non-Christians are more likely to give money to a homeless or poor person in any given year (34%) than are born-again Christians (24%). Maybe Christians think their money is better spend on the church and established charities. But you’ve also got to reflect on Jesus’ warning that what you do for the least among us, you do for Him.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jumper2.0 // Jan 27, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Unfortunately, you are very right about this. American Christianity has really gone off the deep end. There is something wrong about it and part of it is that too many think it’s some kind of “get out of hell free” pass.
2 Tim Stroud // Jan 28, 2009 at 5:11 am
Jumper2.0, maybe you are too quick to judge your fellow Christians. Who can live the ‘perfect’ life? Don’t forget about repentance and forgiveness.
And Jenny, what if the lack of significant behavioral differences between believers and non-believers can be explained by some aspect of socialization on the part of the atheists.
Maybe it’s just that atheists are trying to act like Christians. Living within normal, polite, respectful, civilized, societal boundaries. Acting like they are fine, upstanding, caring, responsible, individuals with families; and they genuinely want to help their neighbors, their communities, their nation.
But without the god thing. Or the promise of heaven thing.
HAH! Sorry, atheists, you aren’t fooling anybody! lol
3 Jumper2.0 // Jan 28, 2009 at 10:00 am
Tim,
I don’t think that I’m judging any particular person and I haven’t one bit suggested that one can live “the perfect life”! But I think that it is a fair observation that many think that being a Christian is a “get out of hell free” pass! That’s not what it’s about at all!
4 bigjohnhamhock // Jan 29, 2009 at 4:25 am
Tim,
Without trying to get into too much of an argument or offend anyone, I have to take umbrage at your suggestion that atheists are “trying to act like Christians.” There’s plenty of evolutionary evidence that the behaviors you attribute to Christianity are ingrained in us from birth. We are a societal animal and would not have survived this long without a sense of community and morality. Murder, theft, dishonesty, these things are all generally looked upon as bad even in societies where there is no (and never has been any) Christian influence. And remember, whether fair or not, many atheists do not have a flattering opinion of most Christians and would definitely not choose to emulate them.
5 Tim Stroud // Jan 29, 2009 at 1:34 pm
No argument here Bigjohnhamhock. I always welcome the feedback. (And it’s not easy to offend me. I’m just like that) Poor choice of words on my part. Perhaps it would be more accurate to simply say that Christians and atheists act ‘alike’ in most respects.
And conscious emulation should be right out of bounds.
So, to continue the topic at hand, if you are an atheist there is virtually no difference in behavior on your part to distinguish you from a Christian.
That’s all I was trying to say. Hope that’s okay.
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