Their right-wing, hate filled, sensationalistic, end-of-world rhetoric is doing a lot of harm, and turning a lot of people off.
Do you feel these people are truly of God?
-I honestly wonder if they are the anti-Christ that we are warned of.
- They believe they are of God, they believe they are doing God's work...but, they are not truly furthering his kingdom.
-How many people are being turned away from God because of their judgemental, superior attitudes.
-The God I know is one of mercy, love, grace and justice. This doesn't seem to be the one they talk about.
-How do we battle these people when they have co-opted the term Christian to mean only those that believe as they do? They have co-opted our religions, and our trying to run our government.
-Do we ban with non-believers against the vicious uunGodly ways of the fundamentalists?
Your thoughts?
2007-06-26 11:02:21 · 13 answers · asked by G.C. 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've been banging away on this one for as long as I've been on R&S. Yes,yes,yes. I agree with you entirely. As to what we can do,insist that atheists refer to fundies if that's what they mean instead of using vague terminology like "Christian",and then putting them in their place when they start broadcasting their filty hate-mongering lies. Do I consider them the antiChrist?I never thought of that. It's an interesting idea,particularly the way they are now pumping for a fake armaggedon and false peace (support israel today!). I'd have to give that some thought. Bring it up again,it's a damn good question. I'm a Catholic myself.
2007-06-26 11:15:05 · answer #1 · answered by Galahad 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow. There are some great answers. Here are my ideas:
Fundamentalists and some conservative Christians are so caught up in being a "good Christian," they end up missing the larger truth of Jesus' message, which is about love.
The best way to "battle" this dominant (but minority) view of Christianity is to make sure we present to the world another, more compassionate (more Christ-like!) view.
Thomas Merton said:
"Where there is a deep, simple, all-embracing love of man, of the created world of living and inanimate things, then there will be respect for life, for freedom, for truth, for justice and there will be humble love of God."
2007-06-26 15:22:58 · answer #2 · answered by Colin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course I do. But the one's who are drawn by God to Him are going to hear the truth regardless. I am a sinner, it's ironic how so many Christians act like the Pharisees who didn't see their own leanings as sinful. But I can only do what I do. If God wants to change Leagalistic Fundamentalist Christians, then He will. Otherwise, it's their own lack of spirituality that will face them on the Judgement.
2007-06-26 11:12:30 · answer #3 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no way of knowing truly if they are a 'people of God' as I don't see into their hearts. Do they truly love Jesus with all their being AND truly wish to bring others to Christianity? I don't know these things. All I can say is from my perception, I agree with you that their methods are ineffective, if their aim is to bring others to God. If their aim is to needle into the govt. system and gain control over everything, that goes against what the bible says about government. Govt should be completely separate from church affairs. I don't stir up anything... I don't support the government any further than paying my taxes nor do I financially support any particular religious group. I dunno, I just go with the flow. What will be will be.
2007-06-26 11:20:14 · answer #4 · answered by luckdragon01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't like the word Christian being equated with Fundamentalist.
I don't go to church, I am very interested in Buddhism yet I still consider myself to be a Christian.
My goal in being a Christian is to be influenced by the behavior of Jesus Christ and to live my life by the Golden Rule.
2007-06-26 11:09:53 · answer #5 · answered by ecstaticdevine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the Atheists and Pagans are more polite to us than they ever started being. I am a Catholic and we tend to get it from all areas but, these guys are vicious dogs that do not have any of the love of Christ within. If they did they would recognize their brothers and sisters in Christ. They do not have a relationship with Jesus, they have a relationship with words.
2007-06-26 11:46:46 · answer #6 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A fundamentalist holds to the basic tenets of their faith, whether, Christian, or not. Not all fundamentalists are Christian, some are Muslim, or other faiths. Not all Christians are activists, and Right Wing extremists.
I do agree that extremists are damaging to the very faith they fight for. So hard to take them seriously. But, please understand they do not represent all believers.
2007-06-26 11:46:21 · answer #7 · answered by Cyndi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Truth is truth no matter if it comes from fundamentalists as you say it or Christians. As long as a person is living Christ like then they are Christians and thereby a fundamentalists.
2007-06-26 11:29:33 · answer #8 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem with this question is the presupposition that fundamentalism is wrong in general. Islamic fundamentalists believe the Q'uran is the infallible word of their god.
Christian fundamentalists believe the same for the Bible.
The difference is in the doctrine taught.
The fundamental principles of Islam are summed up in conquering the world for allah using any means necessary.
Terror and subjugation, threats and intimidation...along with forcible conversion and repression of the spread or rise of any other doctrines of faith upon pain of death are all elemenets of Islamic fundamentalism.
The fundamental principles for Christianity are to share the promise of salvation with the world through faith in Jesus Christ. To spread the Gospel(Good news) that Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins and if we repent of our sins, and believe in Him we will be saved. Christian fundamentalists are to love their enemies and not condemn others for sins we all share in common...but offer the hope of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus.
A Radical Extremist who names themselves Christian and resorts to violence are not following the fundamentals of Christianity.
Believing that abortion (murder), homosexuality and any act taught to be sin in the Bible, is wrong as the Bible states very clearly is not radical or extreme, but fundamental Biblical faith.
Fundamental Christians, who follow Christ's teachings are not to hate another human being...we are taught to hate sin, but not the sinner. We are to be examples by our own actions according to the teachings and example of Christ, and if we ran around actually believing we did anything to deserve or earn our salvation, we would be liars. Christ died for all people who would believe Him. His gift is given freely, no one can earn it, and no one deserves it. This is Christian fundamentalism.
2007-06-26 11:41:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Yes, I do, they're just mistaken. Their fear has led them astray.
2. by love because that's God's way
3. Maybe, we make common cause with non-believers for a variety of good reasons which may be in opposition to our brothers and sisters in the faith, but we do not join with them for the express purpose of denigrating those of our own faith.
2007-06-26 11:10:32 · answer #10 · answered by Sarah C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋