An exhaustive study shows that 2 in 5 believe Jesus is a myth. Evangelical Alliance, Church of England and Hope encourage churches to “understand the landscape we are in.”
…Some of the key findings among non-Christians are:
– 61% of English adults do not believe the Bible is God’s word
– 40% think Jesus is a myth and did not actually exist
– 57% describe themselves as “Christians”
– Only 9% is an “active Christian” (reads the Bible, prays and goes to church).
MOST HAVE A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS AN ACTIVE CHRISTIAN
Among non-Christians, 67% know someone who is a ”˜practising Christian’. 60% say they “enjoy the company of the Christians they know” and they “attribute more positive than negative qualities to the Christian they know”, the study shows. More than half of non-Christians describe their practicing Christian friends as “friendly” and “caring.”
HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
A variety of influences led practicing Christians to make their faith commitment. Growing up in a Christian family was a key factor (41%), attending church services was also important (28%), followed by reading the Bible (27%).
Conversations with a Christian they knew well (27%), an experience of the love of Jesus (24%), an unexplainable spiritual experience (17%) and a particular life event, whether positive or negative (16%), where also among the key factors of conversion.
Christians talking to non-Christians. /Barna
“85% of practising Christians feel a responsibility to evangelise”, the study shows. In fact, “7 in 10 practising Christians are comfortable sharing their faith.”
Read it all and there is also a release from Evangelical Alliance and more information on Talking Jesus