{"id":32740,"date":"2022-09-10T16:21:17","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/half-of-u-s-protestant-pastors-hear-conspiracy-theories-in-their-churches\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:21:17","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:21:17","slug":"half-of-u-s-protestant-pastors-hear-conspiracy-theories-in-their-churches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/half-of-u-s-protestant-pastors-hear-conspiracy-theories-in-their-churches\/","title":{"rendered":"Half of U.S. Protestant Pastors Hear Conspiracy Theories in Their Churches"},"content":{"rendered":"
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sharpshutter image – Getty<\/div>\n

By Aaron Earls<\/p>\n

While Americans have been caught in a whirlwind of conspiracy theories the last several months, many pastors say they hear such unfounded claims from their church members.<\/p>\n

49% of U.S. Protestant pastors say they frequently hear members of their congregation repeating conspiracy theories they have heard. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

A new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research finds 49% of U.S. Protestant pastors say they frequently hear members of their congregation repeating conspiracy theories they have heard about why something is happening in our country. Around 1 in 8 (13%) strongly agree their congregants are sharing conspiracy theories, defined by Merriam-Webster as \u201ca theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another 47% disagree, including 26% who strongly disagree, saying they do not often hear church members sharing such ideas. One in 20 (5%) are not sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cChristian churches resolve to be places focused on the truth,\u201d said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. \u201cYet, half of pastors hear the spread of assumptions about plots often. This is a startling disconnect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pastors of churches with more than 250 in attendance are the most likely to agree (61%). White pastors are also more likely than African American pastors to say they frequently hear their church members repeating conspiracy theories (50% to 36%).<\/p>\n

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Pastors 65 and older are the most likely to disagree that they hear those ideas in their church (59%) and the least likely to agree (34%).<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile conspiracy theories may be embraced by a minority of churchgoers, the larger the church the more minds and mouths exist to be misled,\u201d said McConnell. \u201cAt this time, it appears more of the theories are traveling in politically conservative circles which corresponds to the higher percentages in the churches led by white Protestant pastors.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Christian apologist Mary Jo Sharp, the widespread sharing of conspiracy theories within churches is a worrisome trend, as it can reinforce negative stereotypes about Christians and hamper efforts to share the gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cIrresponsibility with information unravels the impact of a Christian\u2019s witness to those in their community, and, with social media, to the broader world,\u201d she said. \u201cThe non-Christian may begin to believe or become further ingrained in the culturally popular belief that Christians are anti-intellectual, including anti-science.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Christians share anything in person or on social media, they should first ask: \u201cHow will this affect my ability to share the good news of Jesus Christ?\u201d Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Sharp, author of \u201cLiving in Truth: Confident Conversations in a Conflicted Culture,\u201d said, \u201cChristians should always be gospel-forward in how they live their public lives. They are representatives of the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of this status, she said that before Christians share anything in person or on social media, they should first ask: \u201cHow will this affect my ability to share the good news of Jesus Christ?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe Apostle Paul tells us that, \u2018Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth\u2019 (1 Corinthians 13:6). I am supposed to delight in knowing, and, therefore, in sharing what is true,\u201d said Sharp. \u201cThat is a high calling, but it is the one Christians are called to as followers of The Truth (John 14:6). We are not called to perfection, but to take seriously our representation of Jesus, and the truth of His salvation.\u201d<\/p>\n

While half of pastors note they frequently hear their church members sharing conspiracy theories, a previous study found church members may not be sharing the gospel that frequently.<\/p>\n

In a 2019 Lifeway Research study, most Protestant churchgoers (55%) said they had not shared with anyone in the past six months how to become a Christian.<\/p>\n

In a 2019 Lifeway Research study, most Protestant churchgoers (55%) said they had not shared with anyone how to become a Christian in the past six months. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

\u201cBefore returning to heaven, Jesus appealed to His followers to share what they had seen and heard,\u201d said McConnell. \u201cPassing along these eye-witness accounts of Jesus\u2019 teaching and His death, burial and resurrection is the mission of the church. Instead, many church members are sharing things that might be, could happen or sound possible. One is a firm message of hope, and the other a shaky message of fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Aaron Earls<\/h2>\n

@Wardrobedoor <\/p>\n

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Aaron is the senior writer\/editor at LifewayResearch.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n