How to massage a survey

An interesting article recently appeared on the Christian Today website apparently indicating a big shift in Christian attitudes towards same sex relationships.

Seemingly one in four churchgoers now thinks that same sex relationships are okay but 37% of those are too frightened to speak out.

But is it really that straightforward? Forgive my cynicism, but there are several pointers here that indicate this ‘research’ is somewhat skewed and dishonest.

1) The research was done by Oasis Trust – which is campaigning vociferously on this issue. It is not impartial, independently verified research.

2) The ‘research’ refers to ‘churchgoers’ which includes everyone from Quakers to charismatics. There are no figures given for those Christians who say that they actually believe the Bible. I suspect if you took out the atheists, agnostics, pick ‘n’ mix Christians, the figures would be very different.

3) The questions are clearly biased. For example, more than two thirds said their views had become more ‘inclusive’ over the years and 61% of those as a result of ‘understanding or interpreting the Bible differently’. These were in response to ‘set’ questions – not their own independent comments. You can see what has happened – what would you say if you asked are you more ‘inclusive’ or ‘exclusive’… have your views changed because you have come to understand the Bible better?! It’s all in how the question is worded.

4) Ah – but you say. This is a Christian organisation – it does not do things in ‘worldly ways’. How I wish that were true. I believe that Oasis is being profoundly political and dishonest. (The fact that it does a lot of good does not detract from its dishonesty on this issue). It is being as dishonest in this ‘research’ as it was in its publicity for its Open Church conference on ‘The Church, Sexuality, Mission and the Future’ held in April. This conference was supposed to be a conversation between people of different views. But looking at the list of speakers will tell you how much ‘diversity’ will really be allowed: Andrew Marin; Vicky Beeching; Steve Chalke; Rachel Mann; Bishop Alan Wilson; Cameron Trimble; Jill Rowe; the Revd Benny Hazlehurst. All of these would advocate what they might call a ‘progressive’ view of sexuality.

And speaking from a ‘traditional’ (i.e. biblical) proponent? Tony Campolo? Really? Have you heard him speak on this issue? He’s not exactly someone who would advocate the biblical standpoint as understood historically by the church.

If you look at the list of topics you can see what this conference was all about – how to take the church further down the road of same sex marriage. It was not about dialogue. It was not about conversation. The whole conference looked like a complete set up. I would have happily come down and give the biblical position – as would others. It’s sad that much of the Christian media just buy into it and regurgitate the propaganda coming from Oasis.

Self-publicity

The deceit and dishonesty in pursuit of this godless agenda is bad enough, but what is worse is the self-publicity and complete hubris of Steve Chalke and his organisation. According to Steve, ‘A huge number of church leaders, both local and national, have come to me and said: “Steve, we’re with you, but we don’t want to stand up and take the shots for this.” Many of the most senior church leaders in the country have said they support same-sex relationships, but feel they cannot state it publicly’, he added.

Can you see what Steve is saying here (based on his ‘research’). There are apparently a ‘huge number of church leaders’ who, unlike the heroic Steve, are dishonest cowards without any backbone – who believe one thing but practice another. But meanwhile Steve, will take the bullets for everyone. Embarrassing or what? And the Christian media should be prepared to call it out for what it is. As for these ‘church leaders’ who are supposed to be taking up their cross and following Christ, they need to start being honest with themselves and everyone else. How can you claim to be a follower of Jesus and then live a lie? Mind you, how can you be a follower of Jesus and deny what he taught about marriage?

Including who?

Personally I have no doubt that there has been a shift in ‘churchgoers’ towards same sex marriage. After all, once people move away from what the Bible teaches there really is no need to believe anything that would differentiate you from the wider culture. Why not in the name of love, tolerance and inclusiveness, just include all that our culture wants and exclude all that our culture does not want – especially those who dare to actually believe what Jesus said! And then hold a conference on inclusivity!

Personally, given who was being sampled and who was doing the sampling, I am quite astonished that 75% of churchgoers are still opposed to the church affirming same sex relationships. It seems that most of us are not being swayed by the propaganda, politics and emotional bullying.