Public trust in America’s clergy continue to experience decline to its lowest level in 32 years according to a 2009 Gallup Poll. This article, “Americans’ view of clergy’s ethics hit 3-decade low,” (USA Today 12/10/2009) describes more.
Barna Research reveals an increasingly negative and sometimes even “hostile” attitude among the younger generation towards Evangelicals and Born-Again Christians. Those having a “Good Impression” were an extremely low % of that age group.
cf. A New Generation Expresses its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity (Barna Group, 9/24/2007) and Surprisingly Few Adults Outside of Christianity Have Positive Views of Christians (Barna Group, 12/3/2002)