Why is 'Evangelical' an insult in the UK?

[Flangelica]

I've lived abroad for a few years now, but from what I've seen online, 'Evangelical' seems to be a very loaded word, which i only see used as an insult or in a negative way

Can anyone tell me why?

Especially keen to hear from people who belong to this type of church, their feelings about this.

Just don't try to hoist your beliefs on others and you'll be fine.

Where I live many of the Evangelical / happy crappy clappy / pushy / cult like Christians are women called Erica.

Totally random 🤣

Another post-Evangelical here (though still a Christian and go to a more traditional CofE church). Brought up in a happy clappy, charismatic, evangelical baptist church.
Looking back on it, I think that a lot of the happy clappy 'jesus is my boyfriend' songs are about feelings - as in, they're to stir up feelings, but some of the theology in those songs is a bit iffy at times. I've had similar feelings at a football match or a secular concert, which did (and does) make me wonder.
Not to say there's nothing in that sort of worship, but I do wonder.

I mean, the very premise of this thread is why Evangelical Christians are so despised, and many of the answers are highly scathing. The reason many have no idea of the scale of persecution against Christians is because unfortunately it's very much still a taboo to report on it, because no one wants to be seen to be implicating the religions that perpetrate it. But Christianity has been officially recognised as the world's most persecuted group. It is absolutely not some made up "complex". Between 2019 amd 2020, 4,761 Christians were killed for their faith, 4,488 Churches or Christian buildings were attacked, 4,277 Christians were unjustly arrested, detained or imprisoned, 1,710 Christians were abducted for faith-related reasons. On average, every day, 13 Christians are killed for their faith, 12 churches or Christians buildings are attacked, 12 Christians are unjustly arrested, detained or imprisoned, and 5 Christians are abducted for faith-related reasons.

*most persecuted religious group I

Not keen on evangelical anything.

There is no way that Christians in the UK are the most persecuted group. We have an established church ffs!!
Thinking something is nonsense is not persecution. Where I live, the only primary school options for my kids were church school - so yes, I kept a very close eye on what was taught, and made my displeasure clear when I thought it overstepped (e.g. visiting a church to learn about what some people believe - ok, visiting a church to participate in a service - absolutely not).
Perhaps I would be less 'scathing' if this shit wasn't rammed down my kids' throats at school.

I have no issue with anyone quietly worshipping in whatever religion they choose. But evangelical implies to me a desire to persuade others to their beliefs, to influence and control. To interfere in others lives.
Very distasteful, usually abusive to a minority and the point at which I retreat to a safe distance and avoid like the plague.

this sums it up.
also the association with those churches in usa that are always fund-raising, suggesting that if you pay more your prayer will be more effective. this is also seen in Nigeria.
and outlandish claims re healing, miracles, speaking in tongues etc.
the british have a healthy sceptism, and resent poor or simple people being exploited.
also it often turns out the pastor has a luxurious car, house and several mistresses.

People can believe what they like, obviously, but there seem to be a lot of politicians popping up who are members of 'evangelical' churches, are pretty tight lipped about the details of their religion and get horrifically offended when they're challenged because of course their faith is deeply personal etc etc. But then as if it's a total coincidence and with absolutely zero public explanation they start voting against women's healthcare, equal marriage etc.

To be fair it's not just the evangelicals - when Stephen Kerr, now an MSP, was an MP he accused people of religious bigotry whenever they tried to work out how his faith informed his politics and then just so happened to vote against women in NI having access to abortion for "constitutional reasons". Again, believe what you want but if you think your religion requires you to dictate how other people live at least have the decency to be up front about it.

John was one of Jesus disciples, he saw Jesus die. Matthew was also one of Jesus disciples. Why do you think they weren't?

@Aiionwatha Thank you for your comment, it was very brave of you to say this as I agree that this seems to be a taboo topic in some places. While I live most of the time in a country where being a Christian is accepted (as long as they stay in the Christian state - otherwise they too could face extreme danger from members of the main religion), my husband and I work in a country where being a Christian is very risky. I have a lot of very good friends who are risking everything just by just going to church. Their faith and courage is amazing. People in the UK view Christianity as a very privileged religion as they view it only from a British/European/American point of view. I know Christians who risk their freedom, safety and even potentially their lives to have a relationship with Jesus.

Officially recognised by whom?

The OP is talking about the UK. Christians are not persecuted in the UK, Christianity is the state religion FFS.

And yes, the New Testament is by far the most reliable historical document that we have - far more reliable than any other ancient document that we study and accept as fact. I knew this as a history student long before I became a Christian. As for the gospels, the gospel of Matthew was obviously written by Matthew, a disciple of Jesus. Mark was a teenager when Jesus was alive and knew him personally, John was a disciple of Jesus too. It's absolutely fascinating to read about the textural accuracy of the bible! I suggest some posters here research it as there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding/misinformation on this thread about that. Even if you're not a Christian but are interested in history, it's really interesting to learn about hos reliable the bible is for us historians 😊

Yes, unfortunately people seem to parrot things they have heard about the Bible without actually reading it for themselves!

England particularly is not a religious place, and British culture doesn’t tend to be keen on extremism, so that’s why.

@CloseEncountersOfTheTurdKind this does seem to be true. I have experienced a lot of people quoting the Mosaic law as an argument about how Christians ignore the parts of the bible that 'dont suit them'. Actually, I've seen this on Mumsnet a lot. Someone always tries to explain why this isn't the case, but nobody wants to listen. It's just a basic misunderstanding caused by people desperately wanting to prove something wrong without being willing to learn about or try to understand it.

You only have to read some of the excellent threads on Mumsnet to disregard all that complete crap about the Bible being a historical document - really excellent theological and historical debate which almost always ends up in Christians flouncing off when shown their ignorance.

For me the evangelical movement is clearly a subset of cultism. Their very agenda is to bring children and teens in through family involvement and hang on to them with every tactic possible.

I have a family member who is a youth pastor and he gets up on stage with his band and his Britney spears microphone and it is all about him and his image and how wonderfuly Jesus loving he is (I have never met a group more insistant on creating new verbs) he also posts incessantly on social media and is very very focused on his children avoiding any influences that would lead them off the path of Christianity.

I'm not sure what you have read on Mumsnet but I suggest reading elsewhere to get some knowledge about the textural accuracy of the bible! As much as I enjoy Mumsnet, it's not where I search for academic information 😊

Anyway. I don't want to get off topic. I'm not trying to start a theological argument with anyone. I just wanted to see why this word 'Evangelical' is viewed with such hostility in the UK and what I'm getting from a lot of the later posts is that this seems to be a real hostility/suspiciousness/lack of understanding/dislike/wanting to prove wrong Christianity in general?

I am not at all "upset" by the suggestion that I will go to hell if I don't accept the basic tenets of Christianity, because I just think that's nonsense, but I do find it incredibly arrogant when evangelical Christians are convinced that they're right and I'm wrong. There is a terrible smugness about people who think they have all the answers and who are convinced that their outlook and beliefs about the world are the only right ones.

I respect that people have different beliefs and experiences, and if your faith helps you get through life in a happier way, then all power to you. However, I do have a problem when you start to impose your beliefs on others, or when you assume that you have access to a truth that others simply don't understand. I'm just not interested in being preached at.

Do you feel that there is a place in UK society for devout Christians, or do you feel that moving to the UK would be a mistake/disappointment/difficulty? Because I'm feeling a little bit of anti Christian feeling just from this thread and it's making me wonder whether the UK might not be the best move for our family. Any Christians on the thread have any advice?

As a family we are respectful and open-minded, have friends (and personal background) from all different communities. We aren't judgemental and don't try to force our opinions on others. But we do take the bible quite literally and we do try to follow it's teaching as closely as possible in terms of how we behave/what we teach our children/what we believe morally/etc.

This thread has given me a little wobble about a return!

I can only speak for myself, but I don't dislike Christianity in the slightest. Some of my closest friends are Christian, and I see how much their faith helps them and motivates them. I am happy for them that they have that in their lives.

What I do dislike is arrogance and the belief that Christianity is the only right path. That just strikes me as so ignorant, so smug and so self congratulatory. Open-minded Christians who respect other people's beliefs and are wise enough to know that they don't have all the answers are great. Evangelical Christians who feel the need to "spread the word" as if other people are too stupid to make up their own minds are fucking annoying. I really don't need anyone to pray for my soul!!

What do you mean exactly when you say that you aren't judgemental? Do you respect their beliefs and accept that their perspectives are perfectly valid? Or do you secretly think that they're wrong and going to hell because they don't subscribe to your version of reality?

If the former, I don't think you'll have any problem in the UK. If the latter, you will probably struggle to make many friends because a lot of people will find you irritating.

So long as you don't try to preach at anyone and accept that things like equal marriage and abortion rights are legal and acceptable here then I don't see the problem.