Non fundamental Christians?

Question

How do you feel about the judgmental attitude of fundamentalists? I posed a question earlier about a friend who died and was saddened by the heartlessness of fundamentalists. I think they drown out the voices of the christians who are loving and see Jesus as loving, caring and compassionate, how do you feel about them when you hear their vitriol and hate? I'm curious

Answer 1

It upsets me no end. But it was ever thus.

Reading the Book of Luke a while back, it hit me that the multitudes were willing to mouth the name of Jesus, use him as a totem as long as they thought he would be a conquerer, and drive the Romans out as a slaughtering leader.

When the crowds realized that Jesus was preaching a totally different type of revolution, they turned on him.

The modern gay bashing, culturally imperialist, intolerant and hate filled "fundamentalist Christians" are the modern equivalent of those who shouted "We're with you Jesus" hoping he'd call for them to rise up and put Romans to the sword, and just as enthusiastically cried "Give us Barabbas, Crucify Jesus!" later on.

Read the Gospels, you'll see that there have been false Christians almost exactly as long as there have been Christians who try and get it right.

As I tell Fundies when I try and convert them to the religion Jesus preached instead of a religion ABOUT Jesus, "If you're going to thump the Bible, you really should read it first."

So in answer to your question, Fundies make me feel sad, frustrated, and on a bad day I slip into despising them when I just can't manage to forgive them their sins.

(In case you're wondering, most atheists just leave me feeling a bit frustrated. Most I've known are bright, creative and compassionate. If you go by who they ARE instead of what they CALL themselves, most are pretty good "Christians." If I could get a few on board with my efforts to convert Fundies to their own religion, maybe I could make a dent.)

Answer 2

The reason that Jesus has been appointed our ultimate judge is because the human condition is so complicated.

People who have never been able or willing to understand the richness and depth of Christianity, the complexity of humanity, or the awesome nature of God, prefer to apply hard a fast rules, because it's simple (or as you say ... fundamental.)

It's merely a character flaw. Many of them will eventually learn the truth, and change their ways. The rest will one day be judged according to the way they judged others. ... so all will work out in the end.

Answer 3

i have to say it bothers me as well. i tend to that for whatever reasons, fundamentalists tend to get hung up on the death raining from above aspects of the old testament and revelations. One only needs to look to the actions of Jesus to see what his mission was. This was a man who walked, talked and broke bread with all manner of sinners on a regular basis. He showed warmth and openness to these people, and those feelings were reciprocated. He sought to create a religion that could welcome everyone. And most importantly, he strove to reform the dogmatic institutions that were so prevalent in Judaism at the time.

one could liken the the most loud and outspoken of the fundamentalists to the pharisees of Jesus' day.

Answer 4

I would need to know what you mean by "vitriol and hate". Like those fools who attend the funerals of soldiers and picket about how "God Hates Gays"? I agree that is sad...but that is not being a true fundamentalist, that is just idiotic.

To tell a person that if they continue to drink water with lead in it will die, is not mean or judgemental, it is the truth. With that being said, the person who told them this should provide them with decent water now. You catch my meaning?

Answer 5

Catholics are the unique Christians. the 1st church, which Christ began replaced into the Catholic church. For the 1st thousand years, there replaced into only one Christian Church. In 1054, it split into 2 branches, the eastern Orthodox Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church. there have been basically 2 Christian branches for yet another 500 years. In 1518, Martin Luther began a third branch, Protestantism. The third branch splintered into many denominations. you're probable recognizing that Catholics are actually not Protestants. the unique Christian Church remains Catholic. The Amish is likely one among the various Protestant denominations. Jehovah Witnesses are actually not a Protestant denomination yet an offshoot of Christianity because of the fact they have self belief Jesus is the angel Michael and not the Son of God.

Answer 6

Yes, there are nonfundanmentist Christians. Evangelical/fundamentalist Protestants have hijacked the term Christian. Christian used to mean a Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox follower of Christ. Now it means an evangelical/fundamentalist. It annoys me as a Catholic to have these evangelical/fundamentalist refer to themselves as "Christians" as if they are the only ones worthy of that title. They do not represent all believers.

Answer 7

Mia - I agree with you. I have personally seen so much hatred come out of the mouths of the fundamentalists to people who are grieving I wanted to leave and get sick. They would say things such as "if he/she were not 'saved,' they are in hell." WHAT KIND OF THING IS THAT TO SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS GRIEVING. My philosophy is - if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Especially under these circumstances. I've had fundamentalist (Christians) tell me I'm going to hell repeatedly because I explain Islam to them when they have asked a question. They know nothing of Islam, and when they don't like the answer - I'm going to hell. I just consider the source! ;)

Answer 8

I agree that Fundy's do seem to be intolerant. I often avoid the R&S section for that reason. I saddens me that they could be scaring away future converts to Christ with there vitriol.

Answer 9

I despise them & it makes me ashamed to be a Christian. They claim that everyone & their mother will go to hell except them but I think it's the other way around

Answer 10

A loving caring God that loves you without repentance is a false Jesus. Salvation is not free. We have to work for it. You should really sit down and read what Jesus really said, then make questions. The 'feel good' Jesus is a lie of the devil saying there is no sin and no consequences (Genesis 3:4)