Dangers of Fundamentalism

Whatever version of fundamentalism, it can become very dangerous and a stumbling block for those seeking religion that God our Father accepts as pure and undefiled. What bothers me the most about some Christian fundamentalists is that they leave no room for other opinions and accept just about anything on often unfounded blind faith. To present arguments apologetically to these folks is pointless. They are no different than many from other religious backgrounds who have been brainwashed into believing some radical doctrine. Christ came to liberate us from the faith of the Pharisees, and this is exactly the type of faith that has been reconstructed by modern fundamentalist groups, only now pretending to follow the teachings of Christ. I believe most people are searching for the Jesus who brings forgiveness and healing, rather than condemnation and rebuke. We’re sick of holier-than-thou attitudes and want to meet people who are willing to hang out with sinners! Why? This is what the Lord did and is calling us to do. “How can they believe in the One in whom they have not heard?” Sure, we can sit inside our comfortable sanctuaries and condemn the world to hell, but why should we join the fundamentalists in this kind of religion? Our conference episcopal challenge is to be a religion that is one that includes “radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional spiritual formation from cradle to the grave and risk-taking mission and ministry to the world.” I don’t want to be associated with a religion that claims to have all the answers to all the needs and problems of this world. I can’t presume to explain to a woman why her child died in infancy or why her husband fell while fighting in Iraq. It isn’t my responsibility or anyone else’s to speak for God at such times [or ever], but it is our responsibility to offer a shoulder to cry on and a Jesus who brings healing. This is the call of my bishop–to be an extension of mercy to all people. So, we’ll just leave all the silly fundamentalism to those preoccupied with such and go about our business proclaiming release to the captives.