In the United States, Christians are under societal pressure to accept non-Christian narratives often described as politically correct or “woke.” The effects of these pressures have been poorly studied.
Teleios surveyed young Christians to determine their views about different topics currently emphasized by secular society in the United States. Of the 247 participants the majority were: female (58%), <35 years old (82%), and self-professed evangelical (66%). The most common responses are noted below.
About diversity, participants indicated Christians should love, teach and preach the gospel to all people regardless of race or culture (76%); diversity is good in all societies, towns and neighborhoods (42%); and diversity is not a primary church goal, but preaching the Bible, the gospel and emphasizing biblical fellowship and unity (22%).
Concerning climate change, respondents noted that society’s highest priority should be to prevent such changes and all economies, laws, individual comforts and transportation methods should be subordinated to this cause (27%); churches should educate congregations of the anti-Christian nature of the climate change movement (23%); and climate change is a fraud perpetrated to institute socialism as well as a globalist economy and government (13%).
Regarding freedom of speech, participants indicated free speech is a precious right for which many have died and should be maintained even if some feelings are hurt (55%); loss of free speech will hurt Christians’ ability to express their faith and spread the gospel (49%); and Christians and churches should fight for free speech (39%).
About culture, respondents noted that Christians should defend Christian culture to maintain their freedom and to spread the gospel (43%); biblically based Christian culture is more loving, more scientific, accepting and giving than secular culture (42%); and people in Christian cultures have better wellbeing than those in secular cultures (26%).
Concerning homosexuality, participants expressed that Christians should share the gospel with homosexuals (62%); homosexual people, truly seeking God, should be accepted into the church to help them (59%); and Christians should love homosexuals, but hate their sin (56%).
Regarding transexuals, respondents noted churches should embrace transsexuals who truly are seeking to know God (50%); the best solution for transsexuals is conversion to Christianity through faith in Christ (41%); and transgender individuals born male should not be permitted to enter women’s bathrooms or locker rooms (37%).
William C. Stewart, co-founder of Teleios, Inc., noted that “This survey was quite positive, showing that many young evangelicals possess steadfast faith and values. Nonetheless, the survey indicates a strong need for more education to help evangelical millennial and generation X’ers better understand what scripture says about God, Christ, the Christian life, and efforts by secular society to destroy Christian values.”
In summary, this survey indicates that many young evangelicals generally hold to Christian values despite societal efforts to destroy Christianity. Nevertheless, the church, and biblically knowledgeable believers should engage teaching young people the Bible’s position about current “woke” societal issues and the hatred of God evident in secular society.
WC Stewart, JA Stewart, LA Nelson
Complete results of this survey can be found here.
