Book Review - Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites and Other Lies You’ve Been Told

Just finished an interesting book titled, “Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites and Other Lies You’ve Been Told,” by Bradley Wright. Dr. Wright is a believer, holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin and is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. I wonder if the author, when writing this book, was thinking of the phrase popularized by Mark Twain, about how there are "lies, damned lies, and statistics."


I highly recommend all believers read this book. It dispels a number of myths we’ve been told by the Christian and secular media, by Christian leaders, and by friends and colleagues.

Dr. Wright tactfully addresses several Barna studies and books that have been influential in addressing issues in the church. He does this by looking at much larger studies done over time that help get a handle on trends rather than small snapshot samplings. Here are some examples of his findings about Evangelical Christianity:

• We are more respected today than two decades ago. And the mixed attitudes from non Christians probably don't affect our mission.

• Growth in the church has risen from just under 20% in 1776 to over 60% today.

• Evangelical Christianity has had “strong growth in absolute numbers and steady in terms of percentages,” since the 70s.

• We have a lower divorce rates than nonbelievers.

• Christian belief and practices grows stronger with more education (secular). Go figure!

• “The percentage of young people who attend church has held steady over the past twenty years.”

• “Belief about God, Bible and heaven remain stable” with young evangelicals.

• “Prayer, evangelism and church attendance are up in recent decades” with young evangelicals.

• Our youth are doing well in the area of standing against sex, drugs, and stealing in both belief and behavior. Though they are having problems with fighting and everyday honesty.

Dr Wright concludes that, “here in America, Evangelical Christianity in particular and Christianity as a whole, is doing a pretty good job of being the church.” Wow! Juxtaposition that against the pervasive views espoused by Christian leaders, teachers and researchers who suggest we are going to hell in a hand basket. A close friend of Dr. Wright commented after reading the book, “I guess I don’t have to be embarrassed about being a Christian.” So why do we constantly drift towards believing the worst about the church and Christians? Perhaps it is because negativity sells and sticks like a tar baby.

Neither the author nor I are suggesting that Christians have arrived. But embracing untruths about ourselves does not advance the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Wright warns us to cautiously approach statistics. Over all the book was entertaining, kept my attention and was much more enjoyable than other statistical books I've read. Perhaps most importantly it has provided a sense of hope for the 21st century church and a desire to discern the times and the stats.