Face It... Perception is Reality
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Once again I want to thank everyone for their comments on the blog, “Mom, I do not believe there is only one God.” Many of you weighed in, and as usual the comments brought the post to life. There was one comment that facilitated a follow-up discussion with AJ I did not have planned. I did not think it was necessary. This is what we think of many of the most critical conversations in life… Isn't it?
I asked AJ simply, “Did you feel I shot down your views, opinions, and thoughts the other night when we were talking about God?” I barely got the question out, and it was obvious he did not need to think about his response for even an instant. His answer was in the front of his mind as he snapped, “Yes.”
“Wow, I really didn’t think I did that. I really did not want to do that AJ.”
He assured me I did. As I opened my mouth to apologize, AJ said, “I really don’t want to talk about this right now.”
I respectfully turned for the kitchen slightly wounded and enormously sorry. I had successfully accomplished the polar opposite of what I had intended. When someone feels shot down they will do one of two things; shoot back or shut down. Poopie.
This whole thing reminded me of an excellent book I read a couple years ago titled “Unchristian.” This book compiles current and groundbreaking research commissioned by Fermi Project and conducted by the Barna Group. The focus of the research answers the question, “What does a new generation really think about Christianity and Christians?” The book was published in 2007, and I believe it should be required reading for anyone who calls themselves a Christ follower.
Without boring you with too many statistics, they found 70-90% of Americans between the ages of 16-29 perceive Christians as judgmental, too involved in politics, anti-homosexual, out of touch with reality, insensitive, and hypocritical. Ouch. It would appear we are successfully accomplishing the polar opposite of what we intend. Now you can see why my experience with AJ brought this book, its research, and its message crashing back in on my consciousness.
AJ’s perception of the conversation was different from mine. This fact makes his perception no less a part of my reality. The research shows the perception of Christians is different from what we intend. This fact makes their perception no less a part of our reality.
Our purpose is to reflect Christ’s image in our lives and to the world, and it would appear Christianity continues to have an image problem.
I am constantly humbled by my children as they teach me how to treat others. God blessed me with their unique and tender ways of opening my eyes and my heart to the fact that what goes on in my head and what I perceive as reality may not be their reality at all.
We all must face it… Perception is reality.
I perceive you have a comment.
I asked AJ simply, “Did you feel I shot down your views, opinions, and thoughts the other night when we were talking about God?” I barely got the question out, and it was obvious he did not need to think about his response for even an instant. His answer was in the front of his mind as he snapped, “Yes.”
“Wow, I really didn’t think I did that. I really did not want to do that AJ.”
He assured me I did. As I opened my mouth to apologize, AJ said, “I really don’t want to talk about this right now.”
I respectfully turned for the kitchen slightly wounded and enormously sorry. I had successfully accomplished the polar opposite of what I had intended. When someone feels shot down they will do one of two things; shoot back or shut down. Poopie.
Without boring you with too many statistics, they found 70-90% of Americans between the ages of 16-29 perceive Christians as judgmental, too involved in politics, anti-homosexual, out of touch with reality, insensitive, and hypocritical. Ouch. It would appear we are successfully accomplishing the polar opposite of what we intend. Now you can see why my experience with AJ brought this book, its research, and its message crashing back in on my consciousness.
AJ’s perception of the conversation was different from mine. This fact makes his perception no less a part of my reality. The research shows the perception of Christians is different from what we intend. This fact makes their perception no less a part of our reality.
Our purpose is to reflect Christ’s image in our lives and to the world, and it would appear Christianity continues to have an image problem.
I am constantly humbled by my children as they teach me how to treat others. God blessed me with their unique and tender ways of opening my eyes and my heart to the fact that what goes on in my head and what I perceive as reality may not be their reality at all.
We all must face it… Perception is reality.
I perceive you have a comment.
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