New Study: Society’s Perception of Christianity Is Increasingly Viewed as Extremist

By Alison Lesley --
25 Feb 2016 --

Barna Group’s Recent Study: Five Ways Christianity Is Increasingly Viewed as Extremist

Despite the fact that Christianity is the widest spread religion in the society, it has continuously received objections from non-believers. The majority of the society has been made to believe that Christianity is not fit for the public.

New Study: Society’s Perception of Christianity Is Increasingly Viewed as Extremist[/tweetthis]

A recent study that was conducted by Barna Group reviewed the society’s perception in matters regarding faith and Christianity. Examining a new book called Good Faith; the findings indicated that Christianity is increasingly viewed as extremist. The book was co-authored by David Kinnaman, the Barna President. The study showed that majority of the adults viewed faith, Christianity and religion as a whole to be extremist.

But what are the reasons behind this new perception in adults?

Most of the non-believers are worried about religious extremism.

Due to the recent attacks in major states around the world being associated with religious affiliation, most of the non-believers, especially adults, believe that being religiously extreme poses a threat to society. This statement was supported by more than half of Americans.

A majority of non-Christian adults view Christianity as extremist.

There have been a big number of non-Christians who have regarded the Christian faith as extremist. According to the findings of the study, 45% of the adults in America who are non-believers hold that Christianity is extremist. Most of these groups have already established a negative perception towards Christianity.

The term extremism has been defined in a broader way.

Religious extremism has been categorized in terms of behaviors practiced by followers of a given religious faith. The study targeted more than 20 different activities, and beliefs and American adults were interviewed about the various activities that they classify as religious extremism.

The findings of this study fall under the following Categories of Extremism.

Category 1:

In this category, most actions were considered extremist by at least 4 out of 5 American Adults. Such behaviors included the attempt to use religion to try and justify violence, not relating well with people of different religious faiths, and neglecting necessary medical care for children.

Category 2:

Under this category, most of the issues are on how religious people usually interact with one another on social matters as well as government policies that challenge their religion and beliefs. The study indicated that such activities were regarded as extremist by more than 50% of American adults.

Category 3:

This level constituted the factors that created extremist concerns among one in every five adults. Most of the activities that fall under this category are associated to various religious traditions such as speaking in tongues among Christians, wearing of Buibui and kanzu among Muslims and strict measures regarding diet among Jews and Adventists.

Category 4:

Major concerns under this category regarded issues to do with sacred literature such as the Bible and the Koran in public. Other burning issues were the behavior of donating money to a religious institution or joining a given religion. Despite the fact that they are not highly regarded as extremist, they are still an issue of concern to some American adults.

Christian evangelicals hold different views from skeptics regarding religious extremism.

Most of the evangelicals are not likely to agree with the study finding elements that constitute extremism. They are also likely to hold a similar opinion to the public on matters regarding religious violence, reading religious books, refusing to take medical attention to children and wearing of clothes. Such actions are likely to be regarded as extremist.

New Research from @BarnaGroup: 5 Ways Christianity Is Increasingly Viewed as Extremist: https://t.co/TXwangCtuT pic.twitter.com/cbeNCdTcGa
— Lee Strobel (@LeeStrobel) February 24, 2016