The trouble with Fundamentalism is...

As a committed fundamentalist, all I can say is that I am glad you are an "ex-Fundy" because I don't want anything to do with people that have an attitude like yours.

 

Ex-fundy, I guess I don't understand the thinking of somebody who comes on a board named the BaptistBoard and writes the kind of posts you do. Why would you waste your time?

 

Blinded eyes

Thank you. Your snide post proves everything that I said and confirms your spirit, attitude and need. You have proven my points by example better than I could ever have done with words. The readers of this board are intelligent enough to read and know.

 

Wow - and you call fundamentalists harsh and mean??

This is supposed to be a safe forum for fundamentalists on this board, the only one. There are plenty of other places to vent your anger and bitterness.

 

Sounds like you have an UFO inside trying to get out! :laugh:

OK, I'll go swimming before you tell me to jump in a lake too! It is hot here and I got a sunburn!

There seems to be a great divide amongst fundamentalists...

Between the original fundamentalists and the neofundmentalists who are ultra seperatists, and KJVO to the nth degree.

 

I really don't think there is a "problem" with fundamentalism in general. I do believe there are area's that could use some improving, like:

1.) The somewhat imbalanced practice of topical messages over expository messages - using humor, emotion clever anecdotes as "filler" or to "keep the listeners" attention
2.) For some, fundamentalism has morphed into the "law of fundamentalism". In other words like the Jews with the Mosaic Law, these fundamentalists use the do's and don'ts as a barometer of their spirituality. (ie. vocal KJVO, no pants on woman, no shorts on men, short hair on men that has a part and is combed, make sure you go to every service dressed with a tie for men and long dresses on woman, no movies, make sure kids are home schooled or Christian school only, no southern gospel or CCM, husbands and wives can NEVER dance, you must get involved in some ministry, go soul-winning, DO NOT read any theology books, hit the alter now and then, extra points for no TV, No internet and mom stays at home and must wear dresses all the time that are from a 1960's Sears catalog, girls mustn't play sports or go swimming, yada, yada)
3.) Fundamentalist "camps" - "I am of Apollos" "I am of Paul"
4.) The "dumbing down" of the clergy and laity. With so much available sources to lean, it is astonishing how dumb some fundamentalists are even after 20+ years in a fundamentalist church.
5.) Majoring on the minor (KJVO only, pants on woman, movies, outward appearance) Minoring on the major (doctrine, living a holy biblical life, examining God's Word)
6.) The thirst for money, Money, MONEY for a bigger and better ministry while people that need help are neglected
7.) How other Christians "not in our camp" or left the church are treated (i.e. young people electing not going to Bible College are essentially written off as near reprobates)

 

They have no excuse not to go swimming if they buy a garment at http://www.ahiida.com/index.php?a=results&subcat=65

 

My church isn't against girls swimming, they are just against mixed swimming. Any red blooded male who sees a girl in a bathing suit (well maybe not those Muslim ones someone linked, but most normal ones) is going to think thoughts that he should only think about with his wife.

 

When I was in college during one summer I worked at a Christian camp in the mountains and it was quite interesting to see what happened when the fundamentalist groups rented the camp. On the days girls swam, the boys were around the outside of the fence looking at the girls and on the days boys swam, the girls were around the outside of the fence looking at the boys. I never saw one exception during the entire summer by any of those groups. So much for teaching kids about swimming. The stood aginst mixed swimming but not against looking the entire time. There was not even a concrete area outide of the fence. The conrete deck around the pool was raised about 2 feet. Anyone who came by or worked there noticed. The first time I saw that I was surprised and I got quite an education about those groups.

 

You can put a barbed wire fence around the pasture to keep the cows in but some of them will still cut themselves straining at the fence to get at the grass on the other side.

 

It was way more than just a few. It was almost the entire bunch.

 

That is the sound of the nail being hit squarely on the head. You are absolutely correct on this. Furthermore, this involves more than simply religious books - this is the case with practically every type of book. That is, except for really bizarre material like the works of Dan Brown.

Do you have any links to give us on this? I would really enjoy reading these.

Regards, hope all is well,
BiR

 

...they tend to be legalists.

 

There is a lot of information about specifics on the internet by doing a google search. In the past I have bought several books from www.eisenbrauns.com

 

I will state proudly that I am a "Fundamentalist" in the historic since of the word. That said, I will also state that i am recovering from the "UFO" movement. I have seen it from both sides and have been enlightened by the Word of God as I began to really study it and not just take another man's word for what it said.

That being said however, I see "Fundamentalism" in the same light as I see my religious rights as an American. Let me explain... As an American I have the freedom to worship God as I choose. At the same time, so does a Muslim, a Hindu, a Mormon, even a Satanist. I completely disagree wholeheartedly with each of these religions... I even actively oppose them. However, I would stand shoulder to shoulder with any and all adherents to these religions and fight for their right to believe and practice that religion if they so desire. Why would I do this? Because as a "fundamentalist" I believe in the "freedom of thought and religion" that stems from my fundamentalist beliefs of "the priesthood of the individual believer" and "the individual soul liberty of every person."

That said, I would think that on those to principles should lie our conviction that we would fight for the right of even the "UFO's" to practice as they please. They may be wrong, but they have that right. And because of my "fundamental beliefs" I will fight for them to maintain that right.

Just my perspective.

Max

 

As long as they don't try to teach that stuff in the church I pastor... I agree with you.

 

That's why your the shepherd brother... keep the wolves out! Amen!

Max

 

Actually, these are historically Baptist positions rather than Fundamentalist positions. The average Fundamentalist would historically agree with these positions, but they did not grow out of the Fundamentalist movement. They were part of Baptist belief hundreds of years ago. :type:

 

Amen JoJ! That I completely agree with. That is why I said that my position as a "fundamentalist" STEMS FROM those two positions.
My "fundamentalism" is the logical conclusion of adhereing to these positions.

Max

 

That's admirable, but Fundamentalism does not stem from an urge towards freedom of thought. It stems from a desire to stand up for what is right and rebuke wrong thought. In particular, Fundamentalism historically arose from the desire to evict liberalism from major denominations such as the SBC, the ABC, PCUSA (Presbyterian), ETC. So while I agree completely with you on freedom of thought, I don't believe it is a core belief of Fundamentalism.