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I’m excited about a new book called The Outsider Interviews: A New Generation Speaks Out on Christianity, by Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter & Craig Spinks. It’s not just a book, either, but a “DVB” — a book + DVD.
The project contains interviews with non-Christians in Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix and Seattle about what they think about Christians. The picture they paint isn’t a pretty one, but it’s one the Church needs to hear.
Here’s a preview of the book/DVD:
I have long been an advocate of adopting an outsider’s perspective to look at the Church and Christianity, because what we often view as faithfulness or holiness or “standing against sin” can look a whole lot like hatefulness — or just plan weirdness — to people on the outside. Walking a mile in another person’s shoes can be incredibly helpful, even if it’s sometimes painful. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this book and DVD.
(Thanks to “Friendly Atheist” Hemant Mehta for alerting me to The Outsider Interviews. Hemant is doing a giveaway on his blog if you’re interested. And for what it’s worth, I’m not posting this because the publisher or authors asked me to. In fact, today is the first I’ve heard about this project.)
Learn more about The Outsider Interviews here.
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Question of the Day: What are some of the things Christians do, either without thinking or for positive reasons, that can unintentionally garner a negative reaction from the outside world?
posted July 6, 2010 at 8:55 am
I saw this mentioned over at Friendly Atheist this morning and I’m very interested in it. I loved Hemant’s book and recommend it to every Christian leader that I meet. I’m very anxious to read this book.
I think the biggest mistake that we as Christians make is to assume that atheists haven’t come to their decision thoughtfully. I know that I hate it when a non-theist assumes things about my faith, but I see it all of the time in the Christian community. That would be specific to those who do not share our faith.
Outside of that, I think the conflation of politics and religion have been unbelievably damaging to the Christian faith. And I would say that has more far-reaching damage both within and without the faith.
posted July 6, 2010 at 10:08 am
Boycotts.
Not compromising.
Trying to give people what they need instead of what they want.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
posted July 6, 2010 at 11:21 am
I shared this on FB with:
“Christians often think they are hated because they follow Jesus, when the truth is that they’re often disliked because they don’t (appear to) follow Jesus’ teachings.”
I too think it’s important to look at outsider views.
posted July 6, 2010 at 11:26 am
I’ll be interested to see/read this as well. I so agree with the person who hesitated to identify herself as “Christian” for i have that same hesitation. NOT because i’m ashamed to be a follower of Jesus, but because i’m ashamed to be identified with those who are so clueless with their “witnessing.”
About 8 years ago i took an “energy class” at massage school. The instructor had us talk about our experiences with religion. Out of about 10 people in the class, every one but me said what i think the folks in this DVD will say. It broke my heart. So much so that i had to go back the next week & share how hard it was for me to hear these things & how saw i was that they had been so hurt by the Church & Christians.
As the commenter before me implied, there are things in the Bible which are divisive & painful. I don’t think those should be swept away. But i’ve seen too many Christians, so confident in their religious beliefs, ready to always take the pedestal in order to shoot down the others around them.
I won’t say that Jesus never did this. Jesus was pretty harsh with the religious leaders of the day. But he was usually gentle & accepting of people who sought him, tho he often said things that were confusing & difficult to grasp. It seems to me that in light of all the things we don’t really understand we need to be less condemning of others & embrace the ability to be compassionate & empathetic. (It seems to me often that we are simply pathetic instead.)
I’m not real big on trying to convince folks they are desperately evil. Most people believe they are good, & we don’t need to disabuse them of that idea. None of us can be good enough to reach God. No need for harsh judgment.
I guess i could go on & on for this is a very sore spot for me in my Christianity.
http://kateekat.blogspot.com/
posted July 6, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I think this will be a very informative movie. The voice over is annoying but I can get around that.
I live in Louisiana where it is absolutely true, if you are a Christian, you are a Republican. I am a registered independent who dares to say nice things about Obama so I get a lot of flack. I have to endure the crap load of Republi-christian BS that MOST Southern Republican’s hear on the Glenn Beck show and just regurgitate.
posted July 8, 2010 at 12:33 am
Christians keep asking me the same questions over and over again. I find that annoying and have to annoy them back; I usually ask them questions:
Why do you worship a zombie named Jesus?’
How does believing there are three personalities in God’s head make you a better person?
Why do you want to be a zombie on Earth after life in heaven?
Why hasn’t Jesus come back yet when he said “soon” according to your scriptures and, hence, delayed the writing of said scriptures?
Why did your man-god only have three years to proclaim the “word of god” from his father god when he lived to 33 or 54 depending on your early Church Fathers?
Why did this man-god die before two lowly humans on the cross?
I have more, but you catch my drift…