Why Are Fundamentalist Obsessed By Appearance?

Very true Brian. I am fundamental in my faith so, therefore, I call myself a fundamentalist. The term has been hijacked and misapplied of late by people who are, or are called, legalists. A legalist is someone who believes that a nonsctriptural standard is equal to a scriptural standard. For example a fundamentalist will read, "if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him" and believe that at SOME point hair is TOO LONG. A legalist will read it and say that since "everybody" knows hair longer than the average 1950's American male is TOO LONG then that is equal to scripture and a sin to let it be closer than 1/2" from the eyebrow. I am a fundamentalist but not a legalist.

 

Art! At LAST! A precise definition! Thank you very much!

Fundy I am!

Legalist I ain't!

 

SheEagle, the "misconceptions about fundies" comes partly from this thread, actually. I have watched the "Fundamental Baptist Forum" for awhile and most of the posts seem to be concerned with clothing and personal appearance issues. These subjects do not seem to be discussed on other forums within this community, so personally, I thought the subject had to do with being a fundamentalist.

In fact, there is a poster to this forum who recently left and said she can't even agree with Baptist doctrine because, from what I gather, she thinks her views were not taken seriously.

I apologize if I mistakenly took those issues to represent "fundamentalism".

So, let's regroup!

On the profile pages, some people indicate "My religion" to be Independent Fundamental Baptist. Some people indicate "Southern Baptist".

What's the difference between the two?

Thanks,
CJ

 

Very true Brian. I am fundamental in my faith so, therefore, I call myself a fundamentalist. The term has been hijacked and misapplied of late by people who are, or are called, legalists. A legalist is someone who believes that a nonsctriptural standard is equal to a scriptural standard. For example a fundamentalist will read, "if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him" and believe that at SOME point hair is TOO LONG. A legalist will read it and say that since "everybody" knows hair longer than the average 1950's American male is TOO LONG then that is equal to scripture and a sin to let it be closer than 1/2" from the eyebrow. I am a fundamentalist but not a legalist. </font>[/QUOTE]Well there ya go! I guess we can all disregard my previous post! (Unless somebody still wants to dive into the differece in IFB and SBC! )

 

The misunderstanding, folks, is when you believe that fundamentalists are placing an emphasis on dress, when our actual emphasis is on concern for our brethren.

When I say that women shouldn't wear clothing items that encourage a man to look and think lustful thoughts, and when I say that a man shouldn't dress (or undress) in such a way that it causes a woman to look and think lustful thoughts--my emphasis isn't on the dress. You'll notice that I didn't address ANY particular style of clothing, but ALL of them.

No, the emphasis is on the "causes a man or woman to look and think lustful thoughts."

None of my fellow fundamentalists here, including those that have left, have ever, to my knowledge, espoused that you must wear a certain style of dress. Their emphasis has always, to my knowledge, been on the concern for keeping a brother or sister from stumbling.

If that's legalism, then I'm a legalist. But if you think that's legalism, then I humbly submit that your primary concern is probably not on your brother or sister, but on your own dress and appearance, and therefore on yourself--instead of on your brother and sister, where it should be.

 

I am not a fundamentalist! From what I have seen and heard and read, I am glad.

Sorry, but the impression has nothing to do with theology, and everything to do with the extra baggage that seems to go along with the handle.

On theology, I am prolly as fundamental as any and more so than some, but that is the image, if you must know.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Don said:

Don, if you watch this board you'll see that some people are placing a LOT of emphasis on dress! I'm not so sure they are fundamentalist as much as extremist. Some ladies only posted on threads that concerned dress, head coverings, women's place in the church and birth control or rather not using any birth control. Those persons have caused the regulars on this board to be perceived as legalists. I guess it's sort of a 'guilt by association' type thing???

Now that's MY personal opinion and I'm tired of people juding me because I wear slacks, jewelry and keep myself looking nice for my husband!

Diane

 

Amen! And I'm sick of people thinking fundamentalists never have fun, either! I've heard it said that some people are so "heavenly minded, they're no earthly good!"

There is just such a thing as moderation.

When people look at me they don't think: "Ah, there goes a fundamentalist!"

By the same token, when people look at me they don't think: "Ah, there goes a trollop!"

And they sure don't believe I'm a grandmother, because I wear Reeboks! Grandmothers are supposed to have their gray hair pulled back in a bun and wear those black lace up thingies! And not wear jeans, either (unless they live on a farm).

I personally think Fundies have gotten a bad rap. Being a fundamentalist does not necessarily equate to being a legalist!

Guess I'll go color my hair and do my nails, now....I put it off long enough....

 

SheEagle said:

LOL... Me either! This grandmother will be a LOT older before my hair is allowed to gray and I resort to old lady clothes! And I just finished painting my nails for CHURCH!

People look at me and know I'm a Christian by the way I act and the cross I wear. They'd never look at me and think trollop either but they might think my husband is lucky to have a wife who cares how she looks for him!

Diane

 

per luke 21:36, i'm sure

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

OKay, Ed, now I really feel bad that you changed your logon name & hope it wasn't because of my cutting remark. [/ducking]

 

It is wonderful to have more people posting here and I hope it will continue. It is not wonderful that so many threads have to do with appearance and it is not wonderful IMO for some to post here and say things like I am not a fundamentalist and glad of it for the following reasons. Everyone is welcome but please let's all strive to love one another.
Murph

 

This is an out of context quote from another thread on this subject that is quite active right now. Check out Dressing as a Woman in the Baptist Women's forum for the full text.

I think this shows why this topic is so hot right now.

Diane

 

I equate this type of topic to small talk. Some people are not comfortable talking about anything else. Some talk about it for a few minutes before moving on to topics with more depth. And some feel it's a complete waste of their time. I think this usually has to do with being well read or educated on a topic. Some topics are so far over a person's head that they wouldn't want to even try to participate. This sort of topic doesn't require a degree in theology to participate. Maybe that's part of it's appeal.

But yes, I agree. it is somewhat tedious to read the same arguements over and over again. And it is somewhat depressing that it doesn't comprise a lower percentage of what people want to talk about. If it makes you feel any better, I feel the same way about the "Once Saved, Always Saved" , the "Works vs. Grace Salvation" and the "Relevence of Tongues for Today" issues. Sometimes this discussion board gets a little bit like watching the same old movies over and over again. It gets predictable and boring.

No offense to anyone...this is just how I personally feel and how I would earnestly answer the question that started the thread.

 

I think this shows why this topic is so hot right now.

Diane </font>[/QUOTE]Diane is exactly right, as long as this kind of vile evil stuff keeps happening these topics are going to be hot discussion. Stuff like this needs not exsist on the BB, and people who make these statements need to be banned. Thsi is sad

 

Why Are Fundamentalist Obsessed By Appearance?

Because I'm getting older and my ears are growing more hair than my head, and I don't want to braid my nose hairs, and I don't like it that what muscle I have left in my body is migrating south (for the winter of life)!

Now . . . lighten up everyone!

 

SheEagle: "Okay, Ed, now I feel really
bad that you changed your logon name ... "

Quit feeling bad, please.
You just chanced upon me when I was about
to change back to my old, usual name.
It is easier for me to be "Ed" than
to be "Edifier".

 

Don't know who made such a statement, but I wonder if they thought about what is standard men and women's wear in various cultures and changing times? If pants are a man's garment, what was Jesus? A cross-dresser?

[ July 22, 2003, 12:13 AM: Message edited by: C.S. Murphy ]