the Christian fundamentalists.

I recall the thread in which Cindy was trying to explain why she believed what she did. In her response to someone during that discussion she accused the other as painting with a broad brush.

I didn't get it and didn't understand why she was saying that and never sought clarification.

In a recent e-mail exchange with Cindy initiated by myself we had a similar discussion and she made the same accusation and I still didn't get it because I really try do be fair minded in my thinking.

Finally, the lite bulb came on and I think I do get it now.

At least on this board it seems we're pretty much in agreement in our dislike of the inappropriate prostheltyzing, especially when it's accompanied with the "my way or the highway" attitude so common with that kind of behavior. That kind of behavior ALWAYS comes from folks who would identify themselves as fundamentalists. Now comes the broad brush Cindy was referring to.

Diane refers to herself as a fundamentalist and, tho I don't recall Cindy ever identifying herself as that, judging from what she has said I suspect she would fit the common definition of that term. When we discuss the prostheltyzing its almost always "the fundies" or fundamentalists and their prostheltyzing and I've realized that's not a fair characterization because I don't recall Diane or Cindy EVER prostheltyzing or trying to force feed their faith on anyone, either here or elsewhere.

Although its an understandable oversight on my part to generalize, in the future I'm gonna try to be mindful that its the behavior I deplore and not the person or the group they identify with.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

Answers

John; Just wondering. Is a fundamentalist a person who believes in the bible word for word? Kirk

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

I'm glad you posted this John. It gives me food for thought as I have to admit I never did really "get it". I do have to say I really miss Cindy though. I was very sad she left. I felt sad again when the BTS map happened to get a response the other day after a long period of inactivity. I brought up the map and Cindy's name isn't on it anymore. And she's the one who came up with the idea. Is there any way to bring her back?

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

I agree Denise. It IS sad. I emailed her on 9/11, sent her my love, told her we missed her, and that I thought all our problems were just misunderstandings, that I felt we all needed each other, and to please come back.

I haven't heard from her. :(

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

hey john, broadbrush all you want.............we all do in our own way. Some of us recognize when we do it, some don't. Just for the record, after careful spending some time studying and reading what MOST people call fundimentalism, I am very certain that I am NOT. I guess in fact I could not even be called a Christian because I do not believe that my way is the only way to God. The only comfort that I have these days is knowing that Christ was not a Christian either. So I guess this non-Christian, non-patriotic traitor will just keep on loving to the best of my ability in this very difficult world. blessings and good cheer to you.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

Yeah, Kirk, I think that description would fit, at least for many fundamentalists. More often than not they tend to take the bible as a whole and complete document literally, word for word, despite the often encountered apparent contradictions the exclusive use of that approach generates.

I can see why actually because its easy to agree that the words in the bible are this and that and that would tend to ease the interpretative conflicts that would otherwise arise with a more metaphorical, symbolical, allegorical or mystical approach.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

John: See thats where it gets really confusing. Even just simple reading of the bible still leaves an incredible amount to interpretation. Don't you think? If thats the case then fundamentalists must not all agree amongst themselves. Maybe its just that they agree on the basics or something. I know one thing. Discussions with people who demand only one point of view always ends up bad. At least I haven't figured out how to do it anyway.

One more question. Doesn't it say in the bible somewhere that Christians must try to convert the people? If so that can also limit a conversation real fast!

I'm just talking about the discussions I've had with people I know. Not anything thats happened on any of the boards.....Kirk

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001

I know what you're saying Kirk and yes there are alot of different varieties of Christian fundamentalists but generally I think you'd find concensus in the "Inerrant" view of the bible, and as a holy document it is whole, complete, and to be taken literally.

The literal approach is no guarantee of unanimity of interpretation but if thats whats being sought I'd think it'd be alot easier to take it literally than to consider including the other approaches I mentioned earlier.

The bottom line to me though is the "my way or the highway" type of prosthelytizing. I understand they consider themselves called if not required to spread the word but somehow I just don't think their methods are what Jesus had in mind, regardless of how well meaning and sincere they may be.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001

If the Bible is to be taken literally, word for word, etc., then it always puzzles me why Jesus taught in parables! Duh. Like He couldn't put a message together in a straightforward way?? The guy who raised the dead, for heaven's sake! No, he WANTED each individual to *experience* the message in his/her own way. Otherwise, he could have just hit them over the head with some prescriptive THOU SHALT THINK THIS WAY, etc.

And since Jesus is the reason why Christianity was founded in the first place (well, one could argue even that, I suppose) I wonder sometimes why it's so hard for some folks to accept the personal understanding part (like their *responsibility*, if you will) of the Gospel.

Nah, just better to let some great scholar like Fallwell or Robertson let you know what to think. They have God's ear, or so they would have you think...actually, they would rather that you didn't think!

-- Anonymous, October 02, 2001