Are you pessimistic? Why are fundamentalists so negative?

Question

-I recently had dialogue with a fundamentalist Christian who is all gloom and doom. He is very pessimistic and had nothing good to say about the world we live in. Is this truly a Godly perspective?
-I reminded him, that while there is a lot of bad in the world...there is also a lot of good.
-We see stories on the news every day...but news stories are sensationalistic. For every bad one we see, there are thousands of positive things happening...they don't get reported, because they are "boring"
-When people give money to a poor person, help a neighbor, or let someone in front of them at the grocery...these things are not reported...but, think how far they can go.
-Do you believe in "paying it forward"?
-If we all had a more positive attitude, if we all strived to help others...couldn't we make the world a better place? If nothing else if we just adopted a positive attitude wouldn't that have a great affect?

Answer 1

Sorry in advance for the rant. My conjecture:

1.) I would guess that because some Christian sects are selling "rapture" and "salvation", these communities sell doom and gloom to keep the flock loyal and hungry. You have to be prepared for rapture at all times. Also, search YouTube for "Richard Dawkins" and "Hell House" (even if you don't like Dawkins, check out this 4 min clip) - some fundies are showing young children the equivalent of horror movies as examples of what truly will happen to anyone who doesn't accept Christ. They use intimidation to gain compliance. Fear is such a major industry in these doom and gloom sects of Christianity.

2.) There is a direct correlation between conservative Christians and Fox News viewership. Examine closely the news coverage between Fox, CNN, and MSNBC. I am not speaking simply about right/left wing biases. Look at the type of stories covered. If you watch Fox News long enough, you will become paranoid. Every story is about how 'unsafe' we are in a post 9/11 world, or how horrible 'Islamofascists' are, or how treasonous this liberal is, or how illegal immigrants are the downfall of civilization, the 'war on Christmas', etc, etc, etc. You don't see this alarmist coverage on other channels. If I only had access to Fox, I'd probably be about convinced it's time to move back to the Y2K bunkers and stock up on canned goods, duct tape, potable water, and the Bible.

There is a myth of 'the good old days'. People see 'Leave it to Beaver' and 'Ozzie and Harriet' as documentaries. You know what, people were gay**, abused substances, abused/molested children, teens got pregnant, women were battered, etc, etc back then, too. It was kept quiet to society's detriment.

I would also add 'the good old days' were a time of segregation. How can anyone say that we live in a time of moral decay when we have unparalleled equality and social justice compared to any other time in history? It was less then 100 years ago that women couldn't vote, black people were being lynched, 9-year-old children were working in mills loosing arms, Gay people feared for their lives, Japanese people were forcibly imprisoned for being Japanese, there we laws like the Chinese exclusion act that prevented who could immigrate here based solely on race.

To quote Monty Python's Life of Brian "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". Yes, if there were less fear and outlooks were at least rational and reasonable, it would be a great effect.

Answer 2

A pessimist is a person who says the glass if half empty and a optimist is a person who says the glass if half full, I am neither, I am a realist I will simply say there is something in the glass.

There is a lot of evil and tragedy going on in the world but just because there are some Christians who get depressed does not mean all are depressed and there is always more to it than meets the eye.

Answer 3

My heart goes out to them, to tell you the truth. They're denying themselves the joy in the Lord that is a part of their inheritance, as one of the fruits of the Spirit. The apostle Paul made the point several times that we are able to rejoice in all circumstances because of the hope we have within us. But if they carry a burden for the world, it's understandable that they would feel its weight.

You also must keep in mind that some people are pessimistic (or optimistic) by nature. Being Christian doesn't mean our basic personalities are wiped out and replaced with new ones.

Answer 4

There is enough to agree with good and bad deeds you just described. But attitude alone cannot change the things.

Fundamentalist has his own basics.You may find many positive things in there. He is right on his part irrespective whether you accept it or not.

Why you deem him doom? Can you change your attitude for the sake of better and peaceful world!

Answer 5

Main Entry:pessimism
Pronunciation:'pe-se-,mi-zim also 'pe-ze-
Function:noun
Etymology:French pessimisme, from Latin pessimus worst— more at PEJORATIVE
Date:1815

1 : an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
2 a : the doctrine that reality is essentially evil b : the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life
–pessimist \-mist\ noun


Main Entry:realism
Pronunciation: 're-e-,li-zem, 'ri-e-
Function:noun
Date:1817

1 : concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary
2 a : a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind; specifically : the conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary reality b : the conception that objects of sense perception or cognition exist independently of the mind — compare NOMINALISM
3 : fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization
–realist \-list\ adjective or noun
–realistic \'re-e-,lis-tik, 'ri-e-\ adjective
–realistically \-ti-k(*-)l*\ adverb


Main Entry:optimism
Pronunciation:'ap-te-,mi-zem
Function:noun
Etymology:French optimisme, from Latin optimum, noun, best, from neuter of optimus best; akin to Latin ops power— more at OPULENT
Date:1759

1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world
2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome
–optimist \-mist\ noun
–optimistic \'ap-te-,mis-tik\ adjective
–optimistically \-ti-k(e-)le\ adverb

Please note that sandwiched between is the "Realist" who should be Guided by Scripture & the Holy Spirit. A "Positive Attitude" will give U a "Warm Fuzzy Feeling" inside, but won't make that "Childhood Wish" for a "Pony" come True!!! U are trying through "Human Good Works" to change the World! Can't be done. Scripture says; "Good works are as Wood, Hay and Stubble that when tested by Fire are consumed." I Cor. 3:12&13 or as in Isiah 64:6 "Your Works are as Filthy Rags." (menstrual rags) U do have good Intentions, as most do, but Intentions are NO Substitute for Scripture & the Perfect Work of Christ on the cross in Gods' Plan for Mankind. John

Answer 6

While there are definitely many good things happening in the world, the truth is that there is much wickedness and destruction as well. There are wars, people murder, rob, rape and steal, there is poverty and starvation, natural disasters happen and take millions of lives each year; I could go on and on... The good you speak of is a drop in the bucket compared with all the destruction that takes place and acknowledging this isn't pessimism. Christians speak of this because they want the world to know that there is hope in Christ. While this world is rife with death and destruction, the Christian knows there is a better world to come, where none of this stuff will happen. In my view, this is not pessimism; it is optimism for a wonderful future in paradise!

Answer 7

Hell no. As a Baha'i I'm about as optimistic as they come, considering the absolute shambles humanity has made out of this gorgeous blue gem of the universe, but more particularly our relationships with each other. A positive attitude is a wonderful thing, especially if you can maintain it in the face of what's going on in the world. And people are doing amazing things to bring about understanding and unity. However, what's going to coordinate it all and bring justice to the entire planet? Just like the actions of the organs and members of our body have to be coordinated by some agency, so too do the affairs and endeavors of collective society. For me, that practical aspect of the spiritual is found in Baha'u'lla's words. I see it every day in the lives of the 7 million or so Baha'is from every walk of life, every region of this planet, every nationality, every ethnic and religious background. The Baha'i international community is a working model available for your investigation. I invite you to check out his words yourself. Investigate. Question. Examine. See if Baha'u'llah's teachings stand up under the light of fair and judicious scrutiny.

Answer 8

I'm a Christian and I'm not pessimistic, but I'm also not a "fundamentalist." The problem with such people is that they focus all on the hellfire and brimstone, the judgment and wrath of God, and lose sight that God's defining characteristic, if there is one, is his unconditional love. No wonder a lot of people are turned off at the thought of God if the God they have preached to them is going to zap them with a lightening bolt for the littlest "sin."

Answer 9

They don't know better..... Why do they dwell on the end times a coming? They <-----Who...what end times a coming..eh? Enternal baby Why do they dwell on everyone elses sins? They<----who....If you dwell you did not learn from your mistakes due to focusing on "feeling of guilt" and living in regret which leaves no room for progress... Why are the constantly complaining, griping, arguing on this site?..it's called opinions..Strong opinion does not mean anger disagreement does not necessarily mean there is anger behind disagreement.. Why are they so pessimistic about their fellow man? How about everyone one is different EXCEPT IT Isn't God a God of love? Doesn't God give one joy...Doesn't God think the best about everyone....aren't Christians to be Christ like? To live by his rules and obey the law..NOT OURS..Are you saying he is not love..? What makes you think he is not or why would you think not..? Joy of course BUT it's up to you to except or reject it...What is christ like to you..? Are fundamentalists truly Christians? Or have they become so obssessed with interpreting scripture, they have lost sight of God's face? God could be green for all I care..What does image have to do with anything if his word is true and does and hasn't changed YET...Why ask why..? Is his word not true..? Are they wishing for the end times..to hopefully, justify their existence? Oh yeah right on the money...We think that we must reach some premeditated goal but that is not the nature of spiritual life...Whatever one does becomes worth doing for its own sake living becomes it's own justification..... Why don't they enjoy life now? Did God put us here to be miserable? Wait...Who is they..? Do you enjoy life..? why does everyone seem so miserable to you..? Who is miserable..?

Answer 10

A positive attitude would be good for all. I believe fundamentalists would be the ones with a positive outlook. We know the ending !!