That's a big part of it, of course. But you know as well as I do that those negative stereotypes have a basis in reality.
And, more to the point, teens can also point you to people they actually know, who reinforce the negative image portrayed in the media -- people who are smug in their own salvation, for example, or whose actions are at odds with the truths they claim to believe.
Just as an example, my daughter's faith (and that of many other teens) was seriously damaged by a youth pastor who had that attitude, and that image was mirrored by those toward whom he played favorites..... She's verrrry slowly coming around, as she sees the God's truth acted out by those who approach it honestly and humbly.
Several years ago, I had a friend, upon finding out that I was a Born Again Christian responded with a shocked look and an exclamaition of “No you’re not! You don’t act anything like the people in that movie ‘Saved’!!” I had similar conversations with a few other friends.
Which is pretty much my point. You probably don't come across as arrogant or hypocritical -- you're no doubt humble and careful in your approach, even if you're telling hard truths.
But I seriously doubt that those people's impressions came only from the media; I would bet that they know actual people whose behavior isn't all that different from the folks in "Saved."
I know I've been guilty of that sort of thing, as have most of us. It all comes down to a contest between pridefulness and humility, and within ourselves pridefulness often wins out.
Most of my friends didn’t know any Christians, IRL. Seriously, in Grad school I was an anomaly. And stereotypes are often rooted in some truth, but don’t underestimate the propaganda that is out there.
And I do know a few of those who claim to be Christians and don’t ‘walk the walk’ but I also question their relationship with God. There are far many more people who CLAIM to be Christians but are only nominal Christians at best. That is a problem in the Church today that bothers me.
AFA, how I come across, LOL. I have been called every name in the book by posters here on FR, and attacked for gently speaking the Gospel to the LDS. I have had LDS state I am arrogant and I have had LDS who don’t even consider me an ‘anti’. There is some perception differences on the other end even if my behavior is the same.
But, I do get your point.
Most of my friends didn’t know any Christians, IRL. Seriously, in Grad school I was an anomaly. And stereotypes are often rooted in some truth, but don’t underestimate the propaganda that is out there.
And I do know a few of those who claim to be Christians and don’t ‘walk the walk’ but I also question their relationship with God. There are far many more people who CLAIM to be Christians but are only nominal Christians at best. That is a problem in the Church today that bothers me.
AFA, how I come across, LOL. I have been called every name in the book by posters here on FR, and attacked for gently speaking the Gospel to the LDS. I have had LDS state I am arrogant and I have had LDS who don’t even consider me an ‘anti’. There is some perception differences on the other end even if my behavior is the same.
But, I do get your point.