My Image Problem

I have an image problem.  Before you jump to a conclusion about what I have done, if you are a member of a mainline Protestant church you have an image problem as well.  The problem comes in the perception that many people, especially young adults, have us.  When it comes to the degree of warmth, Millennials have more positive vibes toward Buddhist and Hindus than they do Protestants and Evangelical Christian.

Pew Research recently did a study to determine how Americans view different religious group.  Those polled were asked to rate various religions group on a “feeling thermometer” ranging from 0 to 100.  For the overall study, Jews (67), Catholics (66), Mainline Protestants (65), Evangelicals (61) and Buddhist (60) made up the top five.  Not surprising, in light of the cultural climate, Muslims had the lowest warmth level (48). 

There was a high degree of disparity across the generations.  Generally older adults had a higher regard for mainline Christianity.  Millennials felt the highest degree of warmth toward Buddhist (66), Hindus (64) and Catholics (64).  Mainline Protestants (59) were just ahead of Muslims (58).

 

There was one interesting point that was included in the study.  Across the board American expressed a warmer feeling toward a religions group if they were personally familiar with someone who was a member of that group.  As an example: Those who do not know anyone who is Buddhist give Buddhists an average rating of 56 degrees on the feeling thermometer.  That compares with a much warmer 75 among those who do know a Buddhist.  What is most troubling for me is that most millennials probably have regular contact with someone who calls themselves “Christian."  Despite that it seems as though they have mixed feelings about Christians. 

For me the challenge now becomes how can I change that perception?  It is not so much that I want people to like me, but rather that I want them to see Jesus in me.  I want them to view me as a loving person who accepts others for who they are.  It challenges me to be more open to people who are different, showing them the same compassion and grace I show toward those who share my Christian faith. 

We are called to be Jesus is a world that is very different that the one most of us grew up in.  Value have changed and we are more ethnically and culturally diverse.  We need to venture out into that world and get to know our neighbors, not because we want to convert them to Christianity.  Only the Holy Spirit can do that.  Rather we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Dangerous Drivers

I was driving back to Dallas from Houston recently.  It was a Sunday morning and traffic was light. When conditions allow, I drive the speed limit.  I appreciate the cruise control not so much because I do not have to keep my foot on the accelerator but because it keeps me at a constant speed and prevents me from getting a ticket. 

In the distance I observed a car that seemed to be quickly getting closer.  What disturbed me was this car was weaving out of its lane.  The car would drift to the shoulder and then back across the left lane.  My initial thought was “drunk driver” but as I drew closer I realized it was a person on their cell phone.  What was especially troubling was this individual often gestured with the other hand.  Not a good deal.  I made two attempts to pass the car but fell back into the right lane both times when I saw them drifting into my lane.  After almost a mile I finally saw and opportunity an went past them.  In the process I realized that it was not a young driver but rather a middle aged woman.  After passing I observed her in my rear-view mirror.  She was having a very animated conversation with someone; unfortunately it was on an interstate highway while going sixty miles an hour.

A recent report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) focused on how dangerous our roads have become.  Almost 75% of those polled admitted engaging in a dangerous activity in the previous thirty days while driving.  A dangerous activity was defined as texting, speeding or running a red light.  The case above would not have even qualified.  She was only using her cell phone.

Young millennials received some negative press because they engaged in dangerous driving at a higher rate (88%) than did other age groups.  What was interesting to me was that the percentage of older adults (75+) and teens (16-18) who drive at risk was an identical 69%.  It is downright scary to me such a high percentage of drivers are engaging in dangerous driving.  An even more disturbing truth is that older adults who are supposed to be setting a better example are just as guilty. 

Setting an example for the younger generation should extend to all aspects of our lives.  That includes the way we conduct ourselves when behind the wheel.

Millennials and The Poor Tax

I am not a fan of the lottery.  I have always thought of it as poor tax.  The frenzy that occurs when the jackpot reaches thirty or forty million dollar only confirms that.  I do not recall seeing many people driving Cadillac and Lexus stopping at the 7-Eleven to purchase tickets.  Sadly the opposite usually occurs.  I remember observing a women paying for paying for milk and bread with food stamps and then forking over $10 for lottery tickets. 

I recently saw a glimmer of hope.  It seems as though millennials are not playing the lottery the way their parents did.  According to a recent Gallup only a third of 18-29-year-olds played the lottery in the last year, compared to 61% of 50-64-year-olds.   Their budget-minded ways have lottery officials worried because it is impacting sales.  One reason might be at this is a generation that came of age in the recession, which might have made them less likely to see lottery tickets as a wise purchase. In the words of one 21-year-old, “I feel like everything's just too expensive nowadays to just kind of throw away your money on luck."  

I hope that young folks avoiding the lottery might be the beginning of a trend.  I also realize that I could be impacted financially.  The Texas Lottery does generate millions of dollars that go toward education and other programs.  To this point we have avoided a state income tax in Texas.  I suppose that could change if we see a budget shortfall because of a decline in the lottery.  I am okay with that. Unfortunately, I do not expect the lottery to go away all together.  Human greed and the dream that we might be able to get rich quick is part of our sinful human nature.

Not an NFL Fan but I am Thankful for the Super Bowl

I am not a big fan of the NFL, but this year I am actually enjoying some of the Super Bowl hoopla.  It is probably due to the fact at least for a while there is something on the news other than the turmoil in Washington.  It is not just our President who is creating the news. It is also those who are reacting to his decisions.  There is no denying that we are a highly divided nation.

A recent report from Pew Research underscores just how at odds we are when it comes to national issues such as immigration.  As with many topics the line is clearly drawn by generation.  Teens and young adults have a whole different set of priorities than do baby boomers.  For example, while a 58% of those 65 and older say strengthening the military is a top priority, just a third of those younger than 30 say the same.  The two generations are also widely divided on the current hot issue of immigration.  Immigration is an issue for 56% of older adults, compared to 36% of millennials.

In most cases, individual priorities are based on our experience.  As an older adult, Social Security and health care are a high priority for me.  I do not expect those under thirty to share my concern on those issues.  Still, I would hope they would understand my needs.  In the same way, I need to try to understand them.  I need to try to view things from their perspective.

I am part of a worship community where we are constantly reminded that “it is not about me.”  In that context, Jesus continues to be a model of someone who focused on the needs of others.  He calls us to do the same.  The future of our nation depends on our ability to listen to each other and becoming united in a sense of purpose.  In the same way the future of the church hinges on our ability to respond to the needs of others, as opposed to focusing on ourselves.  Somehow we need to become more united not just in our priorities, but our sense of purpose.