Fundamentalism

savedandthankful · Jan 27, 2010

When I talk about fundamentalism, I'm not thinking of media stereotypes. I'm talking about those of us who consider the Bible to be the answer to everything without error.

I'm bringing this up because I now live in a pretty conservative southern state in America and I attend an independant baptist church that applies a fairly litteral interpretation to the moral teachigs in the Bible. :preach:

I from the UK and I'm interested to know if there are many Christians like me left over there. Are they on the rise or in decline? Are you guys like this too? If not, what do you think of us? I ask because I want to live there again in the future.

All Englands Skies · Jan 29, 2010

The bible and Jesus is the answer to everything in my opinion, I dont foist my opinion on others, I accept we arent perfect and some things are twisted, but regardless, Christ is the truth and the Bible is the rules, to me there is no gray areas, you either follow it without compromise or you dont, thats what i think

uberd00b · Jan 30, 2010

As a non-Christian my opinion of the strange modern beast that is Biblical literalism/fundamentalism is quite low. It appears that fundamentalists have moved from the safe territory of saying things that may be true, to the land of declaring things true that are factually false. This is particularly damaging to the Church in my opinion.

As to numbers as far as I'm aware literalism, which has never been a large movement in this country, is on the rise.

marlowe007 · Jan 30, 2010

Depends on the denomination. Based on where I've visited, the members of town churches and the Baptists are both extreme literalists (in fact, last month I saw the leader of an old Baptist church I attended - he was dutifully biking through his village, loudly knocking on every door and cheerfully handing out mimeographed copies of the latest findings of the He Man Darwin Haters' Club to whomever answered. ^_^

)

But the Anglican Churches, in this day and age, more often than not are simply clubs for old (gay?) men with a 70yr old sense of being "progressive" and "politically correct". Have a look at their photos, almost all the bishops have that same smug face of a man who last had an original thought 45yrs ago. Ditto the Catholic churches.

Fundamentals, of course, are always necessary and good, whether it's the fundamentals of scuba diving, the fundamentals of maths, or the fundamentals of religion. It's pretty insane that people have a beef with fundamentals.

theFijian · Feb 1, 2010

savedandthankful said:
When I talk about fundamentalism, I'm not thinking of media stereotypes. I'm talking about those of us who consider the Bible to be the answer to everything without error.

Does anyone actually believe the bible is the answer to everything? What does that actually mean? Will the Bible give me the answer to why my car makes that noise when starting in the morning? Wil it help me know what garage to take it to when the noise gets worse? Rather the Bible is the answer to some very specific questions.

I'm bringing this up because I now live in a pretty conservative southern state in America and I attend an independant baptist church that applies a fairly litteral interpretation to the moral teachigs in the Bible.

How literally do they take these?

Matthew 18:9 - And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out
Matthew 19:21 - If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor

It's difficult to take these fairly literally isn't it? It's either literal or it isn't. Isn't it more about knowing when to take the Bible literally and when not to?

And personally I see teaching the person and work of Christ as more important than exhorting people to biblical moralism.

I from the UK and I'm interested to know if there are many Christians like me left over there. Are they on the rise or in decline? Are you guys like this too? If not, what do you think of us? I ask because I want to live there again in the future.

Personally I prefer using 'theologically conservative' rather than fundamentalist top describe my own position. As such I'd say there are plenty of theologically conservative denominations and churches in Britain, what proportion they are of the overall I couldn't say.

Two issues as I see it are:
1 - you can be a fundamentalist and be Dispensationalist (really putting the mental into fundamentalism imo) or you could also be a fundamentalist and be Reformed. Two different schools of theology which could both be described as 'fundamentalist'.
2 - Christian 'fundamentalism' in America seems inextricably linked with the political right.

If you want to move back to the UK at some point in the future, what kind of fundamentalism are you wanting to find?

savedandthankful · Feb 2, 2010

Thanks for the responses.

I myself am only conservative when it comes to family values, but I'm liberal on some other stuff. I know the media in the UK has done a good job at portraying all theologically conservative Christians as being linked to political right.

I used to attend a C of E when I lived in the UK. I hear people comment that fundies are taking over those churches, but based on the services I attended and some of the stuff I've seen in the papers I only wish that was true. My fear is that some of the other denominations might be following in their footsteps.

I'm thinking fundamental minus the mental. I'm not into legalism, dispensatinalism or political activism. I'm just into churches that teach bible and don't compromise.

genifer · Feb 9, 2010

I'm thinking fundamental minus the mental. I'm not into legalism, dispensatinalism or political activism. I'm just into churches that teach bible and don't compromise.

Well, Im an american living in the uk. Been here for 10 years now. This is what Id like to find in a church, but alas, I never have.

Just wanted to let you know that we are still around tho..

even if we are few and far between.

KingZzub · Feb 10, 2010

Fundamental without the mental?!

I like that. Most fundamentals I find are fundamentals without the fun!

Our church believes the word of God and we are growing growing growing...

We are in the east end of London.

The local CofE takes the word of God at face value (what I would call a conservative church, they call themselves reformed I think) and preach the gospel.

Bonhoffer · Apr 21, 2010

savedandthankful said:
Thanks for the responses.

I myself am only conservative when it comes to family values, but I'm liberal on some other stuff. I know the media in the UK has done a good job at portraying all theologically conservative Christians as being linked to political right.

I used to attend a C of E when I lived in the UK. I hear people comment that fundies are taking over those churches, but based on the services I attended and some of the stuff I've seen in the papers I only wish that was true. My fear is that some of the other denominations might be following in their footsteps.

I'm thinking fundamental minus the mental. I'm not into legalism, dispensatinalism or political activism. I'm just into churches that teach bible and don't compromise.

SithDoughnut · Apr 21, 2010

Watergirl said:
I truly do not mean this to be offensive, but who cares what you think about the church? You're not a part of the church, the church isn't for you, and the church doesn't answer to you.

I'm really sorry if that sounds harsh, but I've just had it with you guys constantly putting us down when what we do is really none of your business anyway.

The same way that many Christians put down homosexuals when it's none of their business?

I'm not aiming this at you, it's just that as we are using generalised terms here, Fundamentalist Christianity appears to be all about poking noses into other people's business. It would be rather hypocritical if we were not allowed to do the same back. There's a small group of Fundamentalists in my university, who recently cottoned on to the fact that I am an atheist and have been putting me down all the time for not believing. They've been doing the same but on a much larger scale to the atheist society here since it was created. They have no grounds to stop me doing the same thing back.

Again, I have no idea if you fit into this group or not, it's just a general post aimed generally in the general direction of general Christians and people and stuff.

uberd00b · Apr 22, 2010

Watergirl said:
I truly do not mean this to be offensive, but who cares what you think about the church? You're not a part of the church, the church isn't for you, and the church doesn't answer to you.

I'm really sorry if that sounds harsh, but I've just had it with you guys constantly putting us down when what we do is really none of your business anyway.

Just my opinion on the OP. You're free to ignore it, and I'm sure most fundamentalists will. That does seem to be their MO when they encounter something they don't like.

Fundamentalism is a minority even within the UK Christian community. There are reasons for this. Some of which I listed above in case people think the general disapproval in the UK is unwarranted.

I am not entirely anti-church (almost, but not entirely) and sometimes I hope an outsiders perspective will spur the worst offenders onto a more honest path.

Bonhoffer · Apr 22, 2010

SithDoughnut said:
There's a small group of Fundamentalists in my university, who recently cottoned on to the fact that I am an atheist and have been putting me down all the time for not believing. They've been doing the same but on a much larger scale to the atheist society here since it was created.

Thats awful!! Very rude and unChristian. By all means have a bit of friendly banter, but putting a person down goes completely against the gospel and is against scripture ironically enough.

I think fundamentalism has two meanings. (1)Aggressive extremist legalistic conservative religion, and (2)someone who strongly aderes to the fundamentals of evangelical Christianity.

I am the latter(2). I believe all scripture is true. I reject evolution. I'm saving myself for marriage. I also believe in the rapture and the lake of fire. But I dont believe in condemning others. I think those idiots picketing the funerals of gay people are disgusting. Christians are ordered to speak truth, but speak truth in love!

As long as homosexuals are not threatened the rights of others I leave them be. Its a free country! Sometimes I am concerned that gay rights may challenge other peoples freedom of conscience or the best interests of children. So in that situation I might speak up, but it will be done lovingly, careful and using facts; and not be an attack on homosexuals as human beings. But I would also speak up if I felt gay people were being treated unfairly.

Its interesting that Sith should speak about nasty fundies at uni. I dont think we had any at either uni i have been part of. Firm evangelicals 'Yes', not not bullies! I hear so many stories about peoples bad experiences with Christians, including bad experiences that fellow Christians have had from other Christians. Yet God has been extremely kind to me because other than online my experience of Christians (including evangelicals) has been overwhelmingly positive! This is both before and since becoming one. I've met lovely person after lovely person! Never seen any homophobia. The worst I've encountered is ignorance and a lack of compassion, but not hatred!

I know hundreds of kind, compassionate and dedicated followers. Teenagers doing errands for elderly ladies. Men standing up for womens rights. People giving up Christmas Day to serve the poor, but not making a big deal about it. People taking time to understand and relate to Muslims, refugees and gays.

I have no doubt that there are religious hypcrites, bullies and bigots. Its just that there are not many in my story and in my world!

Phinehas2 · Apr 29, 2010

Actually believing the all the Bible says literally is more like legalism than fundamentalism. It could be argued that the likes of Billy Graham and Mother Theresa were fundamentalists as the fundamentally believed and did what God told them to do which was in line with Christs teaching.
If one really wants to know how well a person is behaving or performing as part of their faith, dont look at others of the faith, look at the one or thing they are supposed to be following, in the case of Christians what Christ did and said.

Lillybet · May 20, 2010

I think that due globalisation and the amount of denominations, sects, cults...around now-a-days people are struggling to get to terms with what to do so fundamentalism is becoming increasingly more popular because people want certainty in their life and that approach to religion gives them that.

I myself attend a church which has developed due to secularisation (playing more worship songs than hymns, different biblical interpretations, more things 'up-for-discussion' so to speak...) but it's a matter of opinion which teachings you prefer or find more useful in your life. I don;t see one as being better than the other, just different ways for different people. Both options are catered for if you were to move here.

Phinehas2 · May 21, 2010

The Christian churches worldwide and historically have believed the Bible is reliable in all matters of faith and conduct.
According to it as God’s testimony, it is sufficient for life rather than death. So it doesn’t answer all questions of our world, but it is sufficient to lead us to life as opposed to death.
As it is a mixture of history, poetry, law, direct teaching, parables but above all as revelation, it is infallible in matters of faith and conduct.

What it reveals is that as the world moves further away from living as God intended, the more Christianity will be seen as fundamentalist.

Unaffiliated · May 22, 2010

savedandthankful said:
When I talk about fundamentalism, I'm not thinking of media stereotypes. I'm talking about those of us who consider the Bible to be the answer to everything without error.

I'm bringing this up because I now live in a pretty conservative southern state in America and I attend an independant baptist church that applies a fairly litteral interpretation to the moral teachigs in the Bible.

I from the UK and I'm interested to know if there are many Christians like me left over there. Are they on the rise or in decline? Are you guys like this too? If not, what do you think of us? I ask because I want to live there again in the future.

I'm both from and in the UK.
Don't worry you'll find your sort of fundamentalists everywhere, including here.
In fact you'll find just about every sort of everything just about everywhere.

Fundamentalism

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