A new Pew Research Center report says that American evangelicals are more trusting of their religious leaders and the police than the general public. But the report also shows that evangelicals are less trusting of journalists than the general public.
Christianity Today says, “According to Pew…evangelicals have a distinct confidence in certain kinds of leaders. Unsurprising, they have a more positive view of religious leaders; 86% of evangelicals say they, ‘care about others or people like me,’ compared to 69% of Americans overall.”
CT continued saying, “Pew found that evangelicals also held a higher-than-average view of police officers (86% of evangelicals consider them caring vs. 79% of Americans). They’re also more likely to believe information from police (81% of evangelicals vs. 74% of Americans) and military leaders (72% of evangelicals vs. 66% of Americans).”
The report was also showing partisan differences.
“Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party are less likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to believe journalists perform key parts of their jobs “all or most of the time” or “some of the time.” For instance, three-in-ten Republicans and Republican leaners (31%) believe journalists fairly cover all sides of an issue at least some of the time, while about three-quarters of Democrats and those who lean toward the Democratic party (74%) say the same – a 43-percentage-point difference in opinion between the two groups.”
Overall, Americans still have a positive perception of clergy. Across numerous demographics such as race, age, political affiliations and others, “most see religious leaders as empathetic, competent, and working with integrity.”
A Gallup Survey in 2018 revealed that 80% of people, “rate the honesty and ethical standards of clergy as average, high or very high.” However trust in clergy is falling. But I think if the Church starts living what they are believing the general public will trust us more than any other institution. The Church is to be spotless, pure and holy as it reflects Jesus to the world. Though the Church it is made up of imperfect people, the Perfect One within us can change the minds and opinions of people looking at us drawing them to Him as He works in us.
Hebrews 13:7 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”