Almost three years ago, Ex-Gay Watch complimented Real Live Preacher regarding a thoughtful post on the difficulty that both Christians and people of other faiths face when attempting to relate to fundamentalists.
In comments at Ex-Gay Watch, RLP responded:
I tried to be careful in saying that fundamentalism is not a set of beliefs. I bear no anger to those who differ from me, nor will I treat them unkindly. Fundamentalism is a way of relating to people who do not share your beliefs.
Fundamentalism is that very attitude that says, “I am right, you are wrong, and I WILL confront you and condemn you.”
Unrepentant of their own moral wrongs, fundamentalists spend inordinate amounts of time, energy and money telling innocents to “Go and sin no more.”
At it’s core, RLP said, fundamentalism is a refusal to engage in an honest relationships with people.
Fundamentalism to me represents something that people who are afraid to think and question for themselves and follow blindly. That is why it is so dangerous: I believe it because he/she said so. The number one claim of fundamentalists: the bible is the inerrant word of god is the first point that makes it impossible to communicate with those who follow this approach. I refute that claim from the outset because I first of all do not accept the bible as life truths, it is nothing more than a book of mythology and it is also wrought with mistranslations and numerous errors. If a group of people buy into that concept, how can the rest of society or persons of different faiths possibly communicate effectively with these people about life?
To draw it back a bit, there are non-biblical fundamentalists.I’m thinking Osama. PETA. Greenpeace. Jewish settlers. Me, about what constitues a decent 8-year old Shiraz :)I’m also thinking that fundmentalism isn’t (always) caused by being afraid to think or mere blind allegiance. Often, such people do indeed think (sometimes too much!) about the problems of the World as they see them. Alas, what they then do is jump onto a “solution” that is inadequate, without foundation or even a menace to others.And P.S. we haven’t said “Hi Tim” yet. I think we may yet know you as TOTim, short for “The Other Tim”.
I know someone who signs his posts “The Other Brian”
Anyway…
Yes, fundamentalism abounds. It’s quite an instinctive response to challenges to one’s world view. It is probably good to keep in mind when we uncritically swallow what some of our advocates put out there in our behalf, as well as those who oppose us.
Good topic.
Fundamentalism, in regards christianity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalist_Christianity