Serious Question: What distinguishes a "Fundamentalist Christian" from other Christians? (belief, exodus)
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So based on the conversations on here and ones that have transpired in the last couple of weeks, why has this website not deemed the use of the word "fundamentalist" or anything of it's sorts, in a certain context, to be derogatory and subsequently take action against those individuals? It's almost like someone is saying you call yourself a Christian, but I don't think you're really one. That type of rationalization is clearly against the essence of the rules on here, yet it's allowed. Am I missing something?
Perhaps because fundamentalists use the term in a sense of pride while some of us see it as representative of shame.
The term fundamentalism was coined by Baptist editor Curtis Lee Laws in 1920 to designate Christians who were ready "to do battle royal for the Fundamentals". The term was quickly adopted by all sides. Laws borrowed it from the title of a series of essays published between 1910 and 1915 called The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth. The term "Fundamentalism" entered the English language in 1922, and is often capitalized when referring to the religious movement.
The term fundamentalist is controversial in the 21st century, as it can carry the connotation of religious extremism, even though it was coined by movement leaders. Some who hold these beliefs reject the label of "fundamentalism", seeing it as too pejorative, while to others it has become a banner of pride. Such Christians prefer to use the term fundamental, as opposed to fundamentalist (e.g., Independent Fundamental Baptist and Independent Fundamental Churches of America). The term is sometimes confused with Christian legalism.
Wikipedia
So why can't I look negatively on fundamentalism as you look on it positively? Is that persecution of your religious freedom that trumps my constitutional right to free speech?
I also see similarities between the Taliban and Christan fundamentalism. Both groups support their beliefs with "perfect" writings, the leaders of both groups have made ugly statements about the "godly" need for submission to men by women, and, as one fundamentalist preacher stated in a YouTube video stated, "Muslims are more honest than wishy-washy Christians, they understand the Bible (Torah) calls for the execution of homosexuals."
Now as a "liberal" Christian I've never been accused of wanting to "kill" ungodly people, or been accused of wanting to impose my religious views on non-religious people, nor stating my view of individual scripture is inviolable---once I left fundamentalism I discovered Scripture changes to fit the times in which we live. You say Scripture DOESN'T change, but I would be happy to engage you in debate over how FUNDAMENTALIST views have changed in the past decades and how those views have been affected by cultural changes.
Last edited by Wardendresden; 03-20-2015 at 12:47 PM..
Those who trash the Bible and claim to have better sources fail to come up with a single example of a spiritual truth which cannot be found in the Bible. They are also keen to quote the Bible in order to add some authority to their arguments.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"
If you want to test the "voices" you hear, it is easy when you can compare the message against the word of God. The Spirit, which talks to us will never contradict the word of God.
So trashing the bible is not accepting it to be infallible and inerrant?.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pcamps
Do you really need the bible to tell you that you reap what you sow in life, that if you live your life by reacting with an eye for an eye you are no different to the offender and bring your self down to their state of being, that if your life does not match your confession then who cares about your faith?.
So the question is, do you have something inside of you that gives you the ability to discern what is righteousness that you can follow it, or do you have to solely rely on the bible to instruct you?.
Perhaps because fundamentalists use the term in a sense of pride while some of us see it as representative of shame.
The term fundamentalism was coined by Baptist editor Curtis Lee Laws in 1920 to designate Christians who were ready "to do battle royal for the Fundamentals". The term was quickly adopted by all sides. Laws borrowed it from the title of a series of essays published between 1910 and 1915 called The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth. The term "Fundamentalism" entered the English language in 1922, and is often capitalized when referring to the religious movement.
The term fundamentalist is controversial in the 21st century, as it can carry the connotation of religious extremism, even though it was coined by movement leaders. Some who hold these beliefs reject the label of "fundamentalism", seeing it as too pejorative, while to others it has become a banner of pride. Such Christians prefer to use the term fundamental, as opposed to fundamentalist (e.g., Independent Fundamental Baptist and Independent Fundamental Churches of America). The term is sometimes confused with Christian legalism.
Wikipedia
Wow 1922.
Ok I have never heard any church in the last 30 years use it to describe Christians who believe in the fundamentals of the Bible. I have heard plenty of people use it as a derogatory term though. Today the use of the term seems to indicate a narrow minded and self absorbed person who objects to the fundamentals of the Bible.
Perhaps because fundamentalists use the term in a sense of pride while some of us see it as representative of shame.
The term fundamentalism was coined by Baptist editor Curtis Lee Laws in 1920 to designate Christians who were ready "to do battle royal for the Fundamentals". The term was quickly adopted by all sides. Laws borrowed it from the title of a series of essays published between 1910 and 1915 called The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth. The term "Fundamentalism" entered the English language in 1922, and is often capitalized when referring to the religious movement.
The term fundamentalist is controversial in the 21st century, as it can carry the connotation of religious extremism, even though it was coined by movement leaders. Some who hold these beliefs reject the label of "fundamentalism", seeing it as too pejorative, while to others it has become a banner of pride. Such Christians prefer to use the term fundamental, as opposed to fundamentalist (e.g., Independent Fundamental Baptist and Independent Fundamental Churches of America). The term is sometimes confused with Christian legalism.
Wikipedia
Hogwash.
I am speaking to the way it is being used by yourself and others. You are clearly using it in a demeaning manner.
I'm with you on the puzzlement about the application of the term. I do not generally throw the term around, but here's what I think folks mean by it:
Oddly enough, it tends to refer to Sola Scriptura (aka doctrine and practice derived from Scriptures and only Scriptures) Protestants. This seems a bit contrary to me since Catholicism and several eastern religions predate the Protestant Reformation by over a millenia.
Folks who cling very hard and stubbornly to doctrines based on ancient Christian tradition. Examples: Ex Nihilo creation (creation of something out of nothing), the Trinity, a closed canon of scripture, an eternal duration of suffering in hell, etc. There's a lot more of them, but those are the ones that come to mind since they're constantly being debated.
Those who believe that anyone disagreeing with those and many other ancient Christian traditions are going to burn in hell for eternity, are not true Christians, are heretics, etc.
I think #3 is the biggest qualifier. Most of your free-thinking Christians in the world don't have a problem if somebody believes in something really old. But we do tend to get annoyed at folks who condemn us and want to kick us out of the "Christendom fraternity" for disagreeing with ancient traditions.
Good post . . . but you are too kind in your wording (eg. ancient traditions). The Bible itself refers to them as "blind minds"(ignorance) under a veil (of ignorance) for reading the OT. IOW "ancient ignorance."
Actually, Thomas, I know next to nothing about "50 Shades of Grey". Speaking as a woman I can tell you it's just not my thing and none of my female friends have read it. None of us saw the movie and the longest conversation I had about it was while I was in Costco with a friend and I saw it on the book table, "Look. They're selling "50 Shades of Grey". Her reply: "Oh. Did you see the DVDs? They have "Frozen" on Blue Ray." Then I said, "I'm a little surprised they're selling it at Costco." and she said, "Let's get pizza while we're here."
You asked what's the attraction? I have no idea. I'm more qualified to discuss the attraction of "Frozen". (Starting with the outstanding animation. The folks at Disney hit that one out of the park.)
But thanks for letting us know your circle is discussing a book that you call porn and you have a theory about it. More proof of my theory that the more conservative the Christian...... the more they love to talk about sex.
I'm certainly glad that you're not caught up in the fuss about that book. And my apologies if you thought I was making an accusation. The fact that it is so popular though says something about a lot of the woman out there today. My greatest fear is that a lot of weak minded men (and God knows there are too many of them) will start to believe that all women are looking for is that kind of experience. Having three daughters the thought of anyone taking liberties gets my blood boiling in anger! Oh and I have to confess I can't wait for Grandkids so I can go to some of the cool kid movies without people looking at me as some creeper. Having 3 girls I can almost quote Little Mermaid, Swan Princess, and Beauty and the Beast by heart!
Hopefully you understand my larger point about the roles a man and woman should play in a relationship. I believe we are that way because God made us that way. While I think the man should have the final say I don't think of women as being inferior to men. I've raised all three of my daughters to believe that they don't need a man to complete them. Only God can do that. So they should wait and choose the "right" man instead of settling.
As for sex, and as a fundamentalist, I find nothing at all wrong with it. When it is between a man and wife that is. God created it so why be ashamed about it? See Genesis.
Quote:
Genesis 2
19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
What was the last thing God created? It was woman! That was His crowning achievement. The piece-DE-resistance. The shining star on a Christmas Tree. The woman is the most beautiful creature on God's Earth. The world's greatest artists have tried and failed to capture the magnificence of a woman's body. They were naked and not ashamed. Because they were in a right relationship free from sin.
So, I don't think less of women. I hope some day to find the right one and I won't settle this time. A dog isn't a man's best friend. It's the woman that God intended for the man to take as his wife.
I think if we were this negative against Catholics, the thread would be closed.
I might be wrong.
If fundamentalist were a denomination, you might be right, but it is a set of beliefs primarily about the authority of scripture. Now, the term "fundy" directed at a person might just fit what you and justtitans are talking about.,
So, I don't think less of women. I hope some day to find the right one and I won't settle this time. A dog isn't a man's best friend. It's the woman that God intended for the man to take as his wife.
You honestly believe that a woman can be closer than a DOG?!!?
Oh and I have to confess I can't wait for Grandkids so I can go to some of the cool kid movies without people looking at me as some creeper.
Free advice: If you think people are looking at you as some sort of creeper ..... go to the morning matinees. They're full of Boomers who don't particularly care who else is in the theater enjoying The Lego Movie at 11 am. It's also cheaper.
I doubt you'll take my advice on changing your attitude about women in the workplace and men having the last word, since you're obviously firmly entrenched in some pretty stereotypical fundamentalist/conservative beliefs about women and their roles,..... so I'll save myself the time and trouble of attempting to enlighten you.
Last edited by DewDropInn; 03-20-2015 at 02:11 PM..
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