You do know that not ALL Christians are the Fundamentalist Christians right?

Question

I was just asking this as I keep seeing questions and answers that are directed towards the Fundamentalist Christians. I do have these in my family and have no problem or issue with them, but, I am wondering if you have the same problems with those of us not part of this group?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalist_Christianity

For Brother Michael: I am a Roman Catholic.

Fundamentalist Christianity, or Christian fundamentalism is a movement which arose mainly within American Protestantism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by conservative evangelical Christians, who, in a reaction to modernism, actively affirmed a "fundamental" set of Christian beliefs: the inerrancy of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and the authenticity of his miracles.

The nature of the Christian fundamentalist movement, while originally a united effort within conservative evangelicalism, evolved during the early-to-mid 1900s to become more separatist in nature and more characteristically dispensational in its theology. Most fundamentalists have strongly opposed the Roman Catholic Church for theological reasons;

Brother Michael: What I do not accept is Sola Scriptura and Faith alone. Faith without works is dead. We need both. Nor do I accept "Once saved always saved."

Answer 1

Hi Debra.

You already know my views on this topic, don't you?

Pat Robertson is my benchmark for "bible thumper" or "fundie."


I am an atheist and support the right of a person to freely believe and practice his beliefs without interference, within the limitations of law. And, hopefully, within the rules for civilized behavior (RE: that gang of fundie thugs terrorizing veterans' funerals)

Some people need religion in their daily lives and I would never seek to take that from them.

I only ask the same consideration.

Answer 2

It may surprise many fundamentalists, but for the largest part of the 19th and 20th century, they represented a fringe element in the Christian church. Most church members did not accept the fundamentals listed in the answer above.

However, at least in the larger dialogue, those fundamentals have in the last 25 years become a litmus test for Christianity. The tide has turned, and anyone who does NOT adhere to fundamentalism has become the fringe among many protestant denominations.

These churches and Christians varyingly:

(a) Accept that the trinity is one way of identifying God, but not the only way;

(b) Consider that acceptance of evolution does not condemn you to hell;

(c) See the virgin birth as metaphor, but accept the resurrection;

(d) View the bible as CONTAINING the word of God but accept that in it there are contradictions and that it was written in a social context that has changed through the centuries;

(e) Promote salvation is available through Christ, but consider the possibility that there merit exists in many religions.

These are not new "fundamentals," but some Christians find some of them easy to accept without feeling their faith has suddenly become void.

By staying on the sidelines, these churches have allowed the Fundamentalists to define Christianity, and anyone who cannot stomach the intellectual dishonesty required to adhere to such beliefs simply go to other faiths or accept agnosticism.

The churches that use a combination of the Bible, Church Tradition, Experience and Reason to define faith have a HUGE public relations deficit. They have a positive message that does not require you to discard half of your neurons before entering the door to the chapel. But very few people in the US know it.

Answer 3

I consider myself a "fundamentalist" Christian in that I believe the fundamentals of my faith.

1. That God exists in a triune nature, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
2. That all that exists was created by God and that Genesis 1 - 11 is written as history and should be understood as such.
3. That Jesus was born of the virgin, lived the perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the third day, then ascended into Heaven. He will come again to restore all things.
4. The inerrancy of Scripture in doctrine, history and ethics.
5. That salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

This, I believe, is a nutshell list of the beliefs of a fundamentalist Christian. Since you seem to say you are not one, which of these do you not accept?

Answer 4

Agree With Brother Michael

Answer 5

After somebody told me that I was misusing the word, I once asked a question on Y!A asking for a definition of 'fundamentalist Christian' - 25 responses, 25 completely different (and unconnected) answers. As I realised that it would be arbitrary to just 'choose one' (I had no basis on which to do so), I put it to a vote (one of only a few times I've done that - ironic as I'm presently the Y!A 'spokesperson' for not putting questions to a vote...). After the time expired, the question was removed for having 'no best answer'.

So it seems that there's no real agreement about that word. With that in mind, I have to just take anybody who says 'I am a fundamentalist' or 'I am not a fundamentalist' at their word...

Answer 6

As an atheist I disagree with all people who are religious and think all religion is wrong. However, the vast majority of my friends are religious, and I don't have a problem with accepting their beliefs, but I do disagree with them. As this is a forum for asking and answering questions I am more vocal about my disagreement here.

With the fundamentalists (of all religions) I find them ignorant, offensive, intolerant and often aggressive... and there are a LOT of them prowling around Y!Answers Religion and Spirituality. I have no time for them.

Answer 7

i got into a big argument with my mom over religion. yes i realize there are some decent christians out there, even though it pains me to admit it. But i whould never be chrhsitian (agian) because the religion doesnt fit me and how i think.

Answer 8

Yes. Not every Christian is a fundamentalist Christian. In fact, some Christians believe as I do, in the evolution of man, and in allowing gay people to be married. They are called Democrats.

K, thanks.

Answer 9

Sounds like you want to fit in with everybody. The Catholic church is a cult.

Answer 10

One God: That's All There's Ever Been (Power Point)