Hostile

Aware of the bad things associated with Christianity: socially, historically. Opposed to Christianity passively or actively.

"Christianity is offensive to me in multiple ways."

Hostile people have made up their minds that Christianity is bad news and will say so if asked. They are offended by a worldview they see as restrictive and toxic, especially for minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. They may acknowledge Jesus as a historical person, but definitely do not see him as God.

What people in Hostile say

“I mostly find [Christianity] an irrelevant novelty at best and a despicable business at worst.”

“As a gay person I felt actively rejected, judged, and condemned…I felt personally attacked and hurt and I resent it.”

“[Christianity’s] history is very problematic, and it continues to be very oppressive in many places in the world toward many groups (women, gays, people of other faiths).”

“My beliefs and research came to unpopular conclusions which were embraced behind the scenes by some but ignored in full by the institutions in favor of control and manipulation.”

“No religion can justify itself in terms of evidence to convince me that there is actually anything behind it…my opinion of [Christianity] has sunk like a stone. In fact, it is a force of evil in my opinion.”

At-a-glance

  • Many oppose religion more generally, and Christianity is a part of that.
  • Believe Christianity is harmful.
  • 50% of those interviewed that fit this stage are Dechurched.
  • Least likely stage to ever move out of once someone has landed here
Compare to:
Unaware
Uninterested
Open
Dual
Seeking
Awareness of Christianity
Knowledge about Christianity
Openness to engaging about spiritual topics
Interest in religion
Likelihood of knowing a Christian

Insights & attributes

Dechurched

50% of research participants that fit this stage are Dechurched (meaning they used to be part of a Christian community or identify as Christian).

Appear Uninterested

Hostile people are often quietly hostile. They may appear to be similar to Uninterested, but when digging deeper, they are not the same.

No Need for Religion

People in this stage typically believe that as a society, we have progressed past the need for religion.

Trauma

If Dechurched, they may be experiencing trauma and oppose Christianity due to negative past experiences with churches or Christians.

Beliefs

People in this stage typically believe that Christianity is harmful and that the church is an institution used to exploit people.

Christians as Hypocrites

People in this stage typically believe that Christians clearly compromise on the main things that Christianity teaches.

Where and why people move

No Movement

People in the hostile stage are very likely to stay there.

Trauma

Trauma and deep hurt or abuse from churches or Christians keep people in this stage.

May Not Be Hostile to Jesus

Many people in this stage are opposed to religion more generally. They may not be hostile toward Jesus, just to Christianity, the church, and Christians. (Although they still might be hostile toward Jesus.)

More Research Needed

More research is needed on this stage to understand better where and why people move out of Hostile.

Engage this stage with patience and respect

Pause and Pray
Plan Your Next Steps
Cautions and Encouragement
  • Take a moment to empathize with their pain. Remember a time when someone from a particular, identifiable group hurt you. It takes work to forgive, love by faith, and experience healing. It takes time and intentionality to restore trust. 
  • What role is God asking you to play in this person’s life? It might be consistently, quietly praying for their healing. If they are ready to share their experience, maybe God is calling you to listen with compassion and weep with those who weep.
  • Ask God to free you from any tendency to find your identity in winning them over. Pray for the ability to love them selflessly, by faith, and leave the results up to God.
  • Pray that you can forgive them for any ways that they have hurt you with their hostility.
  • At this point, we can typically observe two sub-groups within hostile: those who are more actively hostile and those who are more passively hostile. 
  • We see in the research that those who are in the actively Hostile subgroup and are not open to discussing religion will likely not move out of this stage. But, if you decide to focus on this subgroup, ask yourself: What are some common values we both share? For example, helping those in need.  How can you show compassion in a way that is meaningful to them? (It may be easier than you think). They are more likely to change their views about you if they constantly see you act sacrificially in areas that they value.
  • With the second group, how can you talk with them in a way that shows that Jesus is different from institutionalized (or even political) Christianity? You may have some common traumas from Christians or the church - if they listen, feel free to share your experience with them, as well as why you did not arrive at the same conclusion as they did.
  • As a community of anti-Christians with no reservations, Hostile individuals give us a sort of raw commentary on the church, including her blind spots. 
  • Actions speak louder than words. As 50% of this stage is dechurched, they probably think they know what you will say. Past experiences may have led them to believe that Christians are hypocrites.
  • Be prepared to being misinterpreted when you speak about Jesus. Avoid the temptation to see this person as your opponent - even if they see you as their enemy.
  • Patience and empathy is key - but this is an opportunity to be Christlike.
  • There is probably no trust. Lovingly rebuilding trust is crucial. 

Experiments, Tactics & Studies

Solutions and resources that have been created or used to understand better or reach this audience.
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Explore the other stages

Hostile
Unaware
Uninterested
Open
Unclear
Dual
Seeking
Professing
Growing
Grounded
Engaged
Multiplying
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