Why do some fundamentalists not realize when it's time to back off?

Question

A few years ago, a young guy I know was committed to the psyche ward of the hospital I was at. Nice enough fella, but definately got problems. A couple of the nurses there tended to discuss Christianity with him, and one of the doctors had nice chats with him about Islam. Apparently, from what I was told, a pushy Christian nurse was transferred to the ward. He started getting confused and nervous while the nurse ranted out her beliefs. The fella became very agitated and the nurses told her to stop. She continued. He then became vocal, and started to pace. She kept pushing. Long story short, she pushed his buttons and he destroyed the entire common section of the ward, put two nurses in the hospital and took down 4 guards and 3 county police officers before they got him under control. All charges against him were dropped, and the nurse was fired. Had it been any other subject, do you think the nurse would have kept pushing, or dropped the subject and allowed the patient to calm down?

I saw him while I was in the hospital after my stroke last year. He was in getting his medications adjusted, and was doing well. No idea what happened to the nurse, but I would assume that she's probably flipping burgers.

Not Epicurus: It's very true. One of the police officers is now the Sherrif here.

Edward J: did you not read the question, or are you a bigot? Read it again, without the "persecution complex" glasses on!

Answer 1

It sounds to me that that incident really bothered you and you needed to talk about it. I really couldn't blame you.
I used to be a Christian fundamentalist myself. We were taught that it is our living duty to convert each and every person we come in contact with so their souls will be saved from eternal damnation. It was pressed upon us that if even one person in our lives did not make it to heaven it was our own personal fault for not trying hard enough.
Some people believe that and live by that more than others. I believed it to a point, but I backed off when people would become visibly upset. This nurse was off her rocker, both as a nurse and a promoter for Christianity.
Fundamentalism is dangerous, no matter what the belief is. I have known fundamentalist Muslims, Atheists, and Jews. Although the message is different, the poisonous formula is the same.
If it had been any other subject... If she were involved in a different fundamentalist belief, she would still felt that she was doing her spiritual duty to "help" that man and kept up that ranting until he fell apart. It all has to do with the individual fundamentalist. Like I said, some believe in the drive to convert more than others. Depending on the passion, she would have driven him nuts one way or another. Most people, fundamentalist or not, know better than to step over the boundaries in the professional world more than that nurse did.

Answer 2

The answer is in the question... Fundamentalists don't realize when it's time to back off because they're fundamentalists.

They've narrowed their point of view on a particular subject at the expense of all other points of view... Their belief eventually becomes a part of thier identity, how they define themselves. Judgements and unacceptance of their belief is then unconciusly projected back onto their perception of self.

In this case rejection of christianity translated into personal rejection. Some people take rejection better then others. Pople often refuse to accept rejection from people who they consider their inferior.

But thats just my take.

Answer 3

She should have been sued. Some christians take the biblical mandate to save the world too far. I've seen some that believe demons are the cause of mental illness. They will provoke the person until the "demon" manifests. Ignorance and stupidity. Then they try to cast the demon out who is not even there in the first place. Dangerous people.

Answer 4

I can't help but noticing the typical slant in the way the question is phrased. The nurses who tended to discuss Christianity who ranted about their beliefs and one of the doctors who had "nice" chats about Islam. Try asking questions in a more honest and balanced method rather than spreading your own hate towards Christians and the few who may or may not have stepped over the boundary. Of course I reliaze this may be asking too much.

Answer 5

Religion is best kept to oneself. It amazes me that all of the major religions have a fundamentalist element associated with them, as far as i know christians do not go to hell for other people not seeking Jesus? I think that the fundamentalism is just a reaction to an ever changeing world of ideas, we have many better explanations for things now than we have had in the past and some people just resist change at all costs. They are scared to change. Religions change just like everything else. It is time to look at ourselves as a human race rather than Christians or Muslims, beleivers or nonbeleivers, Baptist/Methodist etc the list of segregating forces that surround us are enormous

Answer 6

That wasn't a Christian trait. That was a control-freak, can't respect people's boundaries, rude trait! Thankfully, most Christian Fundamentalists aren't that "mental." Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him. He actually turned a few away. When a large crowd walked away, He didn't try to stop them. You can't be a Co-dependant or control freak and be a Christian. Love must be free!

Answer 7

Probably not. There is nothing worse than a pushy or born again christian. (Except maybe a Jehovah's witness)

Answer 8

To be able to realize something one must be rational.
Sounds like this chick crossed out of that territory several church services ago

Answer 9

have you ever considered that the subject may well be that the full loss of intelligence and instruction, that liberals are so infamous for, may well be combating you from being waiting to appreciate what first rate everybody is speaking approximately?

Answer 10

That is ******* unethical. I hope she lost her damn license. This is a SORE subject with me. It makes me SICK how fundamentalist prey on these sorts of people. I am walking away from the computer before I get violent.