A question about fundamentalist stereotypes

[a pilgrim]

Somehow, (and it's the sweet Spirit of God,) we have to balance STRONG convictions with things like, loving the brethren, loving the lost, forbearing one another in love. It can be done, but one has to mind the Spirit of the Lord.

Here's a good example: I heard about two preachers in the Underground Church in China; one was a Calvinist and the other an Arminian. As one can expect, before long they were at odds, denouncing the others theology and causing a rift in the assembly. As fate, (maybe that's a bad word, but anyways,) would have it, they both were arrested, questioned, beaten severely and imprisoned. One had already been through the beating, etc., and was in his cell. He heard them torturing someone down the hallway. Soon, they brought the bloody victim to HIS cell. They opened the door, and threw in. . . his enemy, the one he disagreed with theologically. What should he do? Well, the Spirit of God broke his heart and he began praying and ministering to (IMPORTANT HERE,) his brother in Christ. After they were released, though they disagreed on theology still, it was NEVER to drive them or the assembly apart again.

If our faith fails to affect our behaviour to Christ-likeness, then we missed something.

 

[VCViking]

What might be legalism (or on the brink of it), however, are those who feel they are superior to those who don't have their exact conviction. That's basically what I was talking about.

Gotcha!

 

[BrookeGF]

I understand what you're saying. I just know that there is a difference between fundamentalism and legalism, despite what a lot of outsiders think (and the part you are referring to is the part I had the most difficult time explaining, so it may not have been meant how it sounded). And I agree that Christians should be set apart in the lives we live, and therefore, it's natural that we will have some sort of rules and standards, based on God's Word, of course. And someone can sometimes have a personal conviction based on how a certain Scripture might stand out to him/her (another instance of God speaking to us all as individuals). For example, someone might have a preference for the King James translation of the Bible, if anything for the sake of sticking to tradition, or just appreciating the majestic feel and sound of the Old English, and that's completely understandable, and even admirable. But I know that is not legalism; it's just a personal conviction or choice. What might be legalism (or on the brink of it), however, are those who feel they are superior to those who don't have their exact conviction. That's basically what I was talking about.

I have no problem with disagreeing. Hey, that's just another case of "seeing things differently".

And as far as the instances that people haven't heard of (like the dolls and stuffed toys, or not having a sense of humor), to tell the truth, I hadn't heard of it, either, until I ran across some Websites in which somebody had an experience with somebody who believed that way (I don't remember the link). People have been known to believe things that are absolutely absurd (and these are not "parody" sites, but actual Christian Websites with philosophies that just might be the strictest of the strict). Hey, there are even some people who believe it's sinful to eat out (as in, restaurants) and that Southern Gospel is of the devil (yes, you read right). I won't give the links here, but for anyone who would be interested (who can't quite believe that there are any such people with such beliefs), I can give the link through a PM, when I can. Again, it's not that I don't believe these can be honest convictions (like some of the other things that are not so outlandish), it's just that it was so shocking when I first heard of these things. As it would be for anyone presented with any kind of a new (to them) concept.

Ha ha I'd like to see the link. I remember when I was a new Christian and I came across a parody site for Westboro Baptist Church. It took me hours to figure out it was a joke. Some of the stuff they talked about in the forum was unbelievable...and they made it all seem so serious. I have come across a lot of strange Christian websites. Normally it greatly distracts me from reading God's Word.

 

[BrookeGF]

If our faith fails to affect our behaviour to Christ-likeness, then we missed something.

That's a great point.

 

[WannaWitness]

I know I said that I wouldn't, but I have changed my mind and decided I would go ahead and post the links here for convenience, seeing as I have to clean out my inbox as it is practically full right now with messages I really should get rid of, and there is a lot to explain regarding these particular links.

Southern Gospel Music

EATING OUT

These are a couple of the links I was talking about. The people are apparently ultra-strict, all the way around, when it comes to certain issues. It does seem to have the appearance of a parody site in spots, but I'm not sure that it is, or not; just a person with an extremely sarcastic sense of humor (especially true of the "Southern Gospel" article). The one about eating out appears a bit more serious in tone, but still unbelievable, nevertheless.

And even if the case were that this site may be a parody overall, that doesn't mean that it isn't entirely possible that people can have these beliefs. I believe it can be possible, because I know of an ultra-strict group (and they are deadly serious) from down south that believes the Internet is evil (so don't try to find any websites), doesn't believe in puppet ministries (they think puppets had satanic/pagan origins), and thinks interracial relationships are wrong. It was also documented that another church, as recently as a couple of years ago, even held a book and music-burning celebration (and some here might have remembered when it happened). Some of the books included Bibles that were not King James, and the music consisted of not only CCM (a given), but Southern Gospel, as well! So, this shows that there are some, coming off as "fundamentalist", who are very outlandish in some of the things they do and say, and we can see that the choices that they've made for themselves goes way beyond just being personal convictions.

Book Burning 2009

One Baptist Church To Celebrate Halloween By Burning Bibles (a news article on the above event).

And let's not ignore an in-your-face obvious: Westboro Baptist Church. You know, the ones who hate everything.

All of these only add fuel to the fire of making fundamentalists look bad.

 

[WannaWitness]

deleted post (don't know why it duplicated!)

 

[jpcedotal]

The main value that fundies stand on is that even though the world changes, morality does not. The same things that were wrong in the Garden of Eden and through out the OT and NT is the same things that are still wrong in God's eyes today.

Man is not allowed some democratic vote on changing what God said is wrong or right no matter how many people think it is ok...hence all the arguments.

 

[WannaWitness]

The main value that fundies stand on is that even though the world changes, morality does not. The same things that were wrong in the Garden of Eden and through out the OT and NT is the same things that are still wrong in God's eyes today.

That's what it all ultimately boils down to as to what fundamentalism is. It's just that simple.

Unfortunately, some have made it sound loads more complicated than it actually really is. Thus, all the stereotyping.

 

[non-religious]

I forgot to add the option that many fundamentalists support the death penalty. I can see how that adds considerably to the negative perception many have.

 

[talkerfly]

Do fundamentalists work on Saturdays? Wear clothes of mixed fibers?

 

[phoenixdem]

Do fundamentalists work on Saturdays? Wear clothes of mixed fibers?

Naw. I'm on welfare and I wear white cotten robes.

 

[VCViking]

Originally Posted by jpcedotal

The main value that fundies stand on is that even though the world changes, morality does not. The same things that were wrong in the Garden of Eden and through out the OT and NT is the same things that are still wrong in God's eyes today.
​

That's what it all ultimately boils down to as to what fundamentalism is. It's just that simple.

Unfortunately, some have made it sound loads more complicated than it actually really is. Thus, all the stereotyping.

Amen to both!

 

[VCViking]

Do fundamentalists work on Saturdays? Wear clothes of mixed fibers?

Trolling are we?