Hello, I'm an atheist.

I'm not here to tell you how wonderful your book is or how compelling the message in itself is to people like myself, that are effectively part of the very outsiders you examine. I know the targeted audience are christians themselves and it would be wrong to offer criticism for that. However, while I agree with many of the obvious negative perceptions of christianity/christians, I think the tone of the book is just as hypocritical in that it is trying to hypocritically reword the same intolerance that is a fundamental part of christian belief.

Its not that christians are now in the present just being intolerant, its that christianity as a belief system produces intolerance/bigotry/hatred. Unfortunately, that doesn't occur to you because you've discarded that as a possibility in chapter 1.

I think what you are doing is great.
My church has started the unchristian thing as a bible study, and the perception video broke my heart.
I cried through the whole video. It breaks my heart to see what people feel about Christians and I hope that I am doing ok to show that we are not all the same.

This ministry is so important. Clearly anointed to draw back the culturally alienated youth.

....I'd rather be honest than to silence myself in uncertainty, so I do however have concerns. That the information presented in this book could be used to Re-market Christianity. The latest marketing strategies today is not to make things too complicated. Companies are to be marketed as basic and simple. The new Bell Commercials in Canada almost make them look Wholesome! Yet Bell is taking some of its biggest hits this year in Customer UNsatisfaction. I am worried that this information will allow Christian groups to Re-Market itself with a different image, but with the same core theology. That is, Christianity will appear as though it is receiving fresh words, but in reality is as tribal as ever.

I refuse to see a new Christianity rise with its people still more gracious than their own theology. A Christianity that still measures Grace in teaspoons.

In Grace,
Jeymie

I included this book in my brothers Christmas gift last year. I do not consider myself mainline Christian anymore, but in my own self-study I have claimed some of Christianities true tenets. That is a theology based on Grace & Reconciliation and the ultimate restoration of all things. I've thrown out the window anything Christian History has dictated that is not in line with Grace. So I consider myself a thinking and principled Christian.

This book, in my opinion, has the most gracious intentions. I find it honorable and integral!

Sorry for the incomplete second sentence in second paragraph of the earlier comment.

To pontificate further... Every book has a plot, every story has a moral. For the Christian the Bible story is about God in Christ and everything critically associated with Christ entrance to the world and the necessity for it.

The point wishing to being made is the message of Christ in the gospels is about grace. What knowledge can we say we have of the gospel unless we understand 'grace'. Grace (or the lack thereof) is evidenced in how we treat ourselves and each other. The good news about grace is there is no formula, which means there must be dialogue.

Calgary again.

The noted feedback reflects the diversity of values and doctrines that are held corporately and individually under the umbrella of Christianity (corporate) and being a 'Christian'.

The debate on 'how we should live as followers of Christ (ie. Christian)' is milenia old. Until we understand the message of Christ, which is primary the message of the entire Bible. The Bible and Christ in essence are about 'grace' and the futility of law and legalism within the church and how we treat one another.

Wrestling with how to live with grace for ourselves and have grace for others, in the Church and individually is where wisdom can be found. If nothing else, the book invites Christians to wisely dialogue around the uniqueness of Christ's message in Scripture.

Calgary

It sounds like most of these comments have come from people who have not read the book, nor ever given serious thought to the fact that the term "Christian" generally turns people off (including myself, and I'm considered a Christian). There is a prejudice that is put upon anyone who leads with the label "Christian", and it's not a good impression. This book definitely speaks to that overall impression, and asks if maybe this has been a result of the Christian's misrepresenting Christ. If the reader cannot get past the "we are right, and you are wrong" position, the point will be lost on the reader.




I think it's a great book, and certainly would sit well alongside something like "Blue Like Jazz" or "Fearless Faith".

If you NOTICE the front of the book you will see the REAL REASON for the book, this book is dialog, it is the Dialectic process to reconfigure a traditional church into a UNITY Church, this is a Reengineering of a Traditional church to become a Rick Warren CULT, this book is geared to the younger generation whereas Rick Warrens books are geared to the older folks, BOTH are designed to MIX / BLEND the Worlds mindset with the Traditional Church by watering DOWN Absolute Truth aka the Uncompromised Word of God as been revealed in the KJB

If you NOTICE the front of the book you will see the REAL REASON for the book, this book is dialog, it is the Dialectic process to reconfigure a traditional church into a UNITY Church, this is a Reengineering of a Traditional church to become a Rick Warren CULT, this book is geared to the younger generation whereas Rick Warrens books are geared to the older folks, BOTH are designed to MIX / BLEND the Worlds mindset with the Traditional Church by watering DOWN Absolute Truth aka the Uncompromised Word of God as been revealed in the KJB