The problem with Christianity is...

...you guys dress badly.*
The guys and girls from UFC are asking this question for their mission at the University. And people have responded. You can read the full number of responses here. (the formatting is pretty hideous but it's a good read).

I especially recommend the responses to anyone who works in christian ministry. Asking the world questions about how Christians are perceived is always a great way to engage with people evangelistically.

*I've been saying this for a while now.

 

12 comments:

lukeisham said... 4/05/2009 8:14 pm  

This is an interesting one. If we take Mars Hill as our fashion benchmark are the Christians of Tasmania letting the side down? Maybe yes, maybe no. I noticed that Mark Driscoll has that spikey hair in the middle thing happening, which may have already gone out of date according to this blog:

http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/2009/03/67-unwittingly-cheesy-hair.html

Because fashion is informed to some degree by our personal philosophy, it's only natural Christians will be less-fashion focused due to other concerns. (Cash, time, modesty or other deliberate anti-fashion choices.)

Sorry to rain on your parade, Mike but this is coming from someone who sees fashion and laughs in his face.

mike said... 4/05/2009 8:31 pm  

And yet your profile picture with nicely spiked hair shows that you do care...

Luke I'm not talking about cheesy imitation. It's after all possible to be a Christian and value aesthetics and grooming.

mike said... 4/05/2009 9:08 pm  

I think generally in our/my circles your view of fashion becomes an excuse for sloppiness and just not bothering... rather than being because of any thought through theological reason.

Claire :) said... 4/06/2009 12:42 pm  

I'm about to follow the link, so maybe that's not actually the major point.

Got to say, you know you're winning when THAT'S the complaint :)
Not being 'in your face' or anything like that, just poorly dressed :p

Claire :) said... 4/06/2009 12:55 pm  

Okay, me again. I've read it now.
They're really awesome comments. I'd be interested to see how UFC acts upon them. (I don't mean "I'd" as in "I don't think you will", I mean "I'd" as in "I'd like to be there ubt i'm not").
It's really good to see there are people taking reasoned stances and are open to dialogue rather than just being resistant for no better reason than they percieve UFC as bullies, which is great. The comments, at least some of the time are saying "I'm open to debate and reasoned discussion. Are you?"

Incidentally, if you come up with a solution to "no onions", let me know :p

Astrid said... 4/06/2009 2:21 pm  

Now I feel bad its what I wrote now as a joke in response to a conversation with tim and aaron.

The Borg said... 4/06/2009 7:22 pm  

This isn't meant to be disrespectful, but some of those 'complaints' don't make much sense! They kind of remind me of the rants on informal ballot votes that I got to read at the electoral office.

mike said... 4/06/2009 9:22 pm  

If you head on over the UFC website they are uploading a series of sermons on the most popular complaints. http://www.ufcutas.org/

Neil Cameron (One Salient Oversight) said... 4/07/2009 2:34 pm  

If dressing badly is as bad as complaints get, be thankful.

Renae said... 4/08/2009 9:12 am  

That fashion comment is insignificant when you read the rest of the comments. The criticisms of Christianity ARE far worse than dressing badly. Who cares about that? That list of criticisms is a priceless thing to have and credit to UFC for going out and asking that question. We should take some of those comments very seriously. Who knows how many more people out there have the same misconceptions? (Like who would've thought so many people would quote Leviticus, separating it completely from the New Testament?)

Such a cool idea.. and I'd like to hear the sermons/talks that come out of it. :)

Ben Walter said... 4/13/2009 6:52 am  

Most people dress badly.

George Carlin said... 4/15/2009 1:22 pm  

Anyone who dresses better than me is a w*nker and anyone who dresses worse than me is a hobo.

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