Why Are Fundamentalist Obsessed By Appearance?

You're definetly not alone. There are more important things.

 

no - you are not alone.i find these topics tedious as well.

 

Pardon grammar previous post (i) should be I.

 

Why Are Fundamentalist Obsessed By Appearance?

Because that is the only way they can judge
their brethren. Fortnately God judges us by
the intent of our heart not our appearance.

Alas, it is one of the weaknesses of Fundamentalists
to judge based on appearance.

 

See, I disagree with that remark and think it is mean. In itself, that is a judgmental remark & certainly not edifying coming from one who calls himself "Edifier."

Excuse me. I am a Fundamentalist & am not obsessed with clothing or jewels or britches or anything of the sort. In fact, I don't know other Fundamentalists who are. Oh, I reckon someone might say something if someone came to church in a thong or something, but REALLY!

Sorry - can't see anything edifying to come from this thread & wonder why it was even started. Maybe it should be closed.

 

I think a valid point has been brought up here, actually! I have been stunned, personally, by the incredible number of arguments about what to wear rather than discussions about character, or following Christ, or doctrine, or serving others...

As a moderator of the womens' forums, we had a time a few months ago when three threads at once on one of them and two (at least) similar threads on other forums were going. When I shut down two on one of the women's forums, you should have seen the PM's I got condemning me for being judgmental, controlling, etc. etc.

From what I read in Matthew 23, Jesus was not nearly as concerned with the outside of the cup or bowl as He was with what was/is in it!

People will see our clothes, sure, and if we are immodest, that is wrong. But what they will remember -- unless we are running around half-naked -- is our character. A person who cares, and acts on that caring, is remembered. A person who reacts to insults and personal problems with gentleness and courtesy is going to inspire questions from others.

Which response to questioners is better?
1. Jesus changed my clothes.
2. Jesus changed my character; my heart.

Just in case there is any doubt, our clothes will rot. Our characters are with us eternally.

 

Well, okay. Maybe it is a valid point. But why are all Fundamentalists lumped in together?

Or is that just a reference to the ones posting in this forum?

 

Ah, I see, some people, the only exercise they get
is JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS

I believe a small minority of Fundamentalists
(like under 3%) are "Obsessed by Appearance".
I believe a majority of the small minority
(maybe 66% of the 3 % or 1% of all Fundamentalists)
are obsessed because they LIKE to judge their
brethern.

 

You're right, I jumped!

And thanks for clarifying, Brother Ed!

BTW, I think too many threads are about unimportant issues, too, like britches, etc. for what it's worth.

As they used to say, "where's the beef?" (meaning MEAT)

 

Oh, i thought
this was another "soybean" topic

 

i'm one of those fundamentalists that probably appears to be overly obsessed with clothing. you tell me

but for me the real issue is the authority of the scriptures. the same way that modern rationalism and science has made the first few chapters in genesis a hot topic, feminism has done the same with all the verses specifically addressed to women. both, imo, have put great pressure on bible believers to reinterpret these verses to be more in line with modern thought.

ultimately, christ is interested in clothing we wear or he wouldn't have inspired verses dealing with the topic.

please understand i'm not trying to restart the debates (though i guess i'm willing if someone really, really wants to), just trying to explain where i'm coming from.

[ July 18, 2003, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: timothy 1769 ]

 

all i can say, is you guys have no idea. i actually lived as a pharisee (ok, orthodox jew) for a few years. i still own a 1500 page book (no, that's not a typo) describing all the rules concerning women's modesty/clothing.

but we're just getting started! there's also my huge 5 volume SUMMARY of the law regarding the sabbath...

 

Great question, David! I am not fundamentalist and based on the topics in this particular forum, I'm pretty glad I'm not!! (Absolutely NO offense intended to fundamentalists.) As of now, there are 24 topics (I excluded the "rules" topic), and 9 of them have to do with clothing and personal appearance based solely on the thread title.

As a Christian, I dress modestly. I don't wear slacks to church...even on Sunday night! Does that make me a fundamentalist?

There is a thread called "From IFB to SBC" that I thought might answer some questions. But alas, there was no concrete information...just one post that indicated IFB's are "right with God" and SBC's are "compromisers".

What I would like to know is what do fundamentalists believe doctrinally that makes them different from other Baptists. Who knows? I may be a "closet" fundamentalist!

Thanks!
CJ

 

(computerjunkie)
Great question, David! I am not fundamentalist and based on the topics in this particular forum, I'm pretty glad I'm not!!

(Fish)
I am just curious, why aren't you? I thought fundamentalists were just those who held to the fundamental doctrines of scripture, i.e., virgin birth, deity of Christ, etc. Maybe I should start a new thread on this question.

 

Fish, if that is the definition of "fundamentalism", then I'm fundamentalist even though I am a member of a church affiliated with the SBC. However, if the basic difference is clothing, jewelry and hair styles, I'm probably NOT fundamentalist because I don't think those issues are critical to the fundamental doctrines of scripture. My point was that on this particular topic on this forum, appearance seems to be a major fundamentalist issue.

I would LOVE a thread on the question of what doctrinal issues make fundamentalism different from other Baptists; I was going to start one...but feel free to go ahead and do it!!

 

They aren't. Don't know where the idea sprang from that clothing, jewelry, and hair styles are things that fundamentalists (as a rule) are concerned about. It seems more fanatical to me.

BTW, I want to apologize for starting the ridiculous thread (which got deleted for good reason, I'm sure) about curling irons. It was done partially as a joke, but partially to prove a point. Why some take one or two Scriptures out of context on which to base whole doctrines is beyond me. That was going to be the point at the end of the "joke." So if I offended anyone with that thread, I sincerely apologize.

Anyhow, it is worth discussing why many who don't claim to be "fundamentalists" or who make fun of same - on what do they base these judgments - the actions of a few fanatics?

God looks on the heart, as has been stated earlier. God doesn't care if I use a curling iron, color my hair to cover the gray, use nail polish, wear jeans, etc., etc. He created me, for crying out loud! He sees me when I'm in the shower & I even pray when I'm there.

So where are the misconceptions about fundies coming from?

 

The problem is, any doctrine that would separate "fundamentalism" from other Baptists is not a fundamental doctrine.