Does fundamental Christianity damage its credibility?

Question

There is an intelligent debate that can be had over the theory of evolution and how it relates to the Bible but some Christians reject the debate and put forward ideas which open them up to ridicule.

For an example see this link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6216788.stm

So does fundamental Christianity damage its credibility and pushing potential Church members away?

Sorry - it should say pushing away in the final sentence

Answer 1

Fundamentalism is just that, believing in the fundamentals of the Bible.
I DO NOT believe in theistic evolution, the idea that God created a primeval world and let it evolve on its own.
I also do not believe in a Pre-Adamic race, the idea that there was a human civilization before Adam that was destroyed, and God re-created it.
I believe the Earth is no more than 10,000 years old, because we KNOW it is that old. Anything beyond that is conjecture. I go by facts.
I have studied evolution my whole life. I was a true believer in evolution for some time. After I became a Christian, I was in the theistic evolution camp, because that is what I was taught as a young Christian.
I have since studied and searched the scriptures, and studied the scientific evidence of scientists who were in the evolution camp, but have since turned to creation.
I have found that you can take THE SAME DATA, and interpret it any way you want to, because there is FAITH involved in so much of the process going both ways.
Fundamentalism will not doubt push potential church members away. WE DON'T WANT CHURCH MEMBERS, WE WANT BELIEVERS.
Anything other than creation in the Christian world is for fence-sitters, people who are not founded enough in their own faith, and afraid of ridicule.
My advice to Christians who have questions about evolution and their faith should go to: answersingenesis.org
or The Institute for Creation Research (ICR). These are just two of the many creationist sites on-line.
The only reason Christianity is around today is because of fundamentalism. you have to have some Jesus on tap when you have just been dipped in pitch, you are being nailed to a cross, and you are about to be set on fire to be a human street-light for the streets of Rome, or fed to lions, beheaded, tortured, mutilated, etc......
Fellow Christians, remember the words of Christ, he would prefer you hot or cold. If you are Luke-warm (fence sitter), he will spit you out.

Answer 2

Probably not, as Christianity had little credibility among the "thinking" historically, and that continues today.

I think a lot of people who surrender themselves to Christianity and the "leap of faith" could care less about its inconsistencies-they simply embrace it because it eliminates the need for a great deal of thinking and soul searching, while simultaneously providing them with a community with which to identify. That this is an exclusionary community, i.e, gays and Jews and the like are unwelcome, gives it all the more panache.

If fundamentalism "pushes people away" from the Christian Church, it is those who know that it is wrong that are pushed away. Some people simply derive a sense of family and satisfaction from stating that "the earth is flat" even when they can't see what's coming down the road, due to the earth's circumference.

Answer 3

Seeing as only really well read people have read Voltaire or Nietzsche (which leaves me out. Oh, I read, but I don't read what I'm supposed to . I hardly think Juggs qualifies as recommended philosophical reading.), I would say that the people on TV damage it the most. And the people I'm talking about ... are televangelists. Hugh, common mistake: you assume that the Inquisition happened in living memory. Thing is, it happened centuries ago. So unless they find a woman in New Jersey or something who was alive in the 15th century, I don't think it's going to be bringing back any memories. Unless you mean memories of History class.

Answer 4

What credibility? Christianity "decided" that Jesus was "divine" at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. - for all the time before that Jesus was honored as a prophet, but not a God.

As to the "Creation Museum" they are LYING about science proving their case. This is a $27 million example of what fools should not be allowed to do with their money. Can you imagine how many hungry people could have been fed with $27 million??? And of course, there is a FEE to get in the door, because God must need the money!

Answer 5

I think so - However it will be a Garden of Eden to those who want to believe in only Genesis. (and there is nothing wrong with that)

However I want you to read up on origins of Egyptian life according to Egyptian mythology.

-Mithra = Jesus
-Osiris and Set = Caan and Abel (this story can also give you some clues on why we have the eye on top of the pyramid on the back of the dollar bill)
-The great Flood
-and so much more.

Answer 6

if in concordance with the bible then no big deal, aslong as it doesn't distort the word of god as the ultimate creator. another problem fundamental christianity has had is dividing christianity. with so many christian denominations and a big amount arguing with eachother why are non christians going to want to be christians or what type of christian would they want to be? that is why jesus called his church to be one holy catholic and apostolic church. sadly we don't have that today. no offence but my humble opinion.

Answer 7

I have been answering this type of question from several askers on evolution. Simply read Daniel 7:4 and there Prophet Daniel saw in a vision given to him by GOD the 5 million years evolution of man from mammal to apeman, then to homosapiens. Thus, this evolution theory was seen by Daniel as an instrument by GOD to perform HIS will 500 years before THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. That is why the government of man is called THE KINGDOM OF THE BEAST as man originated and born from the animal kingdom. Thus, even today, man the homo-sapiens still carry with him the subconscious mind called the primitive and animal mind which as a proof are minds of serial killers, drug lords, gambling lords, warlords, prostitution lord, political lords, etc. However, THE LORD GOD did not intent to make only the evolution from mammal to apeman then to man; but from man when they will be born in the spirit in the kingdom of heaven; and they will become angel-like men. And later in the kingdom of GOD, the evolution of angel like -men, being born of GOD will become LIKE-GOD. And furthermore of this evolution of the sons of men unto eternity where they will evolve into higher glory to glory into an unending creations. THANKS GOD; FEAR GOD; PRAISE GOD; GLORIFY GOD; HONOR GOD; LOVE GOD AND WORSHIP GOD.

Answer 8

yes.
I pretty much turn off the moment I hear fundementalist Christians start talking. It's just such an infuriating, alienating, and depressing mindset, and I don't want to hear it.

Answer 9

Fundamentalists in any religion damage that religions credibility....

Answer 10

Yes!