concerning pie in the sky

I'm taking 4 classes this semester for credit, and I'm also auditing a class, which means I sit in the class and listen to the discussions - possibly contributing - but I don't need to do any of the required reading or assignments. It's a way of taking a course that you're interested in, without the workload. The class I'm auditing is 'Liberation Theology and Pentecostalism' and it focuses mainly on the parallel histories of them in Latin America where they have both made significant achievements. During one discussion we were considering common stereotypes, and thinking about how accurate they really were. A frequent caricature of Pentecostals, is that they are other-worldly and can't wait to get out of here and in to heaven. And the strange thing is that looking at their doctrine, this is a rather accurate characterisation of Pentecostals. But when one looks at their practice, another picture develops. While Pentecostals often informally and formally speak the language of escapism, and are accused of being "pie in the sky" Christians, their actions tell another story because when a friend is sick they pray for them, and when someone needs a job they pray. They encourage one another to have faith that things at work will change, family relationships will change, etc. etc. This is a prime example of the gap (well noted by sociologists) between theory and practice. The theory of Pentecostals may suggest disengagement from the world, but their practice says differently. Liberals on the other hand, tend to speak the theory of social engagement, but often that's all they do - speak - and in such unrealistic utopian ideals that the question becomes legitimate: who's faith is really pie in the sky?