What is it about religion that Fundamentalists really just don't understand?

Question

WOW, I think Teri really digs Jack!

Anyhow, there are some really, really good answers in here.

I need some help choosing the best one.

Please vote!

Answer 1

That would be that they do NOT have the corner market on salvation....that other people who don't subscribe to their ideas are also loved by God.

Answer 2

Fundamentalism came into existence in the mid 1800s as a response to early German Lutheran Higher Criticism in theology.


Fundamentalism believes in the "Bible" as the sole source of doctrine. They will assert that the autographs of the Bible preexisted the Roman Church -- that is a provable lie.
Bible came into existence in any recognizable form as a direct result of an action of the Council of Carthage in 397, acting on a resolution from the Synod of Hippo in 393. Prior to that some churches had a book, some had no books, some had several books -- some of those books are books in the present Bible, many were books that aren't in the present Bible. The autographs however never existed (see Dr. Bart Ehrman; Misquoting Jesus; Harper)

Answer 3

That they are not helping their religion, they are hurting it. By trying to prove the factuality of scripture, by treating scripture as if it were a science textbook or completely accurate historical record, they have turned their back on what gives religion value - mystic/mythic insights.

Religious truths are not like the proofs of scientific rationalism, but more like the intuitive insights of poetry or music or art. Conflating the two only results in bad science and bad religion.

It would be far healthier, IMO, to reclaim the separation of mythic/mystic and scientific thought. Religious scriptures were not intended to be science textbooks. And the measuring devices of the scientific method are not applicable to religious insights.

That's the biggie.

I acknowledge that some people are threatened or frightened by scientific modernism. They feel that their most sacred values are being challenged, and they are motivated by fears, anxieties, and desires that are not unpredictable in the face of the modern (and largely secular) world. The "timeless truths" are now put under the microscope and found to be historically false or scientifically invalid.

But that fear cannot be the governing factor for the rest of us. And while I have some sympathy for those who take a reactionary stance (scripture literalism, as one example), I will fight against that stance becoming the governing principle of the world in which I live. (Not to mention that in my experience, scripture literalists actually give themselves a lot of leeway in their "literal" interpretation of scripture)

The Mennonites are a reactionary religious community. They are a good example to use when we discuss this issue. I don't think there is a one of us who would try to force them to conform to our modern society, or take away their freedoms to worship or live as they see fit (within the laws of the land).

But most of us would fight against their self-imposed limitations becoming the law of the land.

So, too, with fundamentalists of any type (Christian, Muslim, Jewish). I will support them in their choice to worship and live as they see fit. And I will fight against their self-imposed limitations becoming the law of the land.

Answer 4

The confusion on the existence of our creator's universal gifts of life between differences in ancestor's custom on tradition of cultures which is not even a religion at all in planet of apes.
The blunders and slip-ups with human errors in creating the ghostly stories back in the past by the dirty old men in planet of apes.
Until little horror chucky and the were-wolves expose the mess in the new millenium in planet of apes.

Answer 5

They are just like "one above here" named "Jack"
who doesn't know what he is talking about
as he claims to be able to prove lies of all sorts...
and likes to use foul language in the guise of "smarts"
which he lacks abundantly...
In his opinion, the pope invented the bible
(blasphemy as big as the notion
that wants people to believe that they are
or ever were infallible.)
He also claims that until then, there were no bible...
His idea of the bible must be a little catholic missal
as his words accuse him of total ignorance
when it comes to the holy Scriptures
and he denies his own claim to know Jesus,
as many of the writers of the Bible
who all quoted from the Scriptures,
which he asserts never even existed
until the papacy made it up...

Please sir, go back to the basics,
for you are one confused individual...
And speaking of "pills"
or any other garbage you like to send my way...
these may be the sort of things that work for you,
in your world, or they wouldn't come up to your mind
but in mine it's pure, natural products and foods
along with pure and unadulterated word of God,
both His Hebrew and Greek testament
are of equal value to me as both were written for our benefit, if only you dug a little more
than the babe you prove to be has done...
it would greatly improve your whole lifestyle, I assure you....
If you don't like this that anyone would use this venue
to address you, look in the mirror if you even have one... people like you often tend to not like what looks back at them in such windows....
Take care!!!
If you know how...
but I sadly doubt it as you never knew where to go for it!!!

Answer 6

A lot of religious people would have a better understanding of the Word if they understood exactly where the devil came from and the part he plays in this world. That would put a new perspective in a lot of doctrines.

Answer 7

The Point

Answer 8

That the answer is Love/fellowship and a true desire to get back to father. That it is action not lip service that show who we are. That our mission is to share information not judge because you do not agree with me. The god is like the ocean, and all religions are rivers. It all eventually gets there. That the only path to father is Love, The only path to father is love. If you find yourself judging/trying to control others, have the I'm better than you are attitude you are not on the love path. and will not get back to father. Picture the balance scale, at the end of this life, which side is heavier, love or dominion. If it is dominion and you really want love, try harder next time.

I believe in a god of unconditional love that created our souls with free will (not humans) in his likeness. many souls could not bear to leave fathers side for the loss of love. many souls went out and returned to share their adventures. Some souls rebeled wanted to be a god themselves. This place (earth system) WAS CREATED FOR THE SOUL TO MAKE ITS FINAL CHOICE. Do they really want to be a "little God and live in dominion=lordship over others. or return to father of love/fellowship/joy/sharing/ab... bliss.

What if heaven and hell are exactly the same except for one difference? What ever you picture in your head heaven to be, imagine hell to be the same except for one difference. Everything you can do in heaven you can do in hell except for one difference. The difference is love or dominion. If you choose love you are in heaven, you are sharing love/joy/fellowship, absolute bliss in all you do.

If you choose dominion you are in hell, everyone will be dominion bent, acting without regard to anything but personal pleasure, personal gain, exercising power over others. Everyman for himself in all that is done. Everything else is the same.

Now which path do/will you choose? LOVE or DOMINION

Need more info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jbonner/...

P.S. Doesn't hell feel a lot like earth?
P.S. S. If you choose dominion click on exit, there is nothing here for you.

Answer 9

That a rational, discerning and fair-minded person cannot possibly accept the bible as perfect. That we are given an intellect and the ability to separate probable truth from probable superstition. That morality is one thing, but to dictate religious doctrines to others by civil law is wrong, wrong, wrong. That they hate and condemn more than they love and accept, which according to their NT is antichristian.

Answer 10

They don't understand that when they say God is love and then turn around and say God hates (insert target du jour here) that they are contradicting themselves.