Unfundamentalist – Page 21

The "Alternative Facts" of Fundamentalist Religion

January 24, 2017 by Chuck Queen in Current Events, Fundamentalism

I see a clear parallel between fundamentalist religion and Kellyanne Conway’s defense of an obvious falsehood about the crowd size at the presidential inauguration. White House press secretary Sean Spicer, in a five-minute statement where he refused to take questions, argued that the number that had gathered to witness the inauguration this year “was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe.”

Anyone with half-a-brain knows that is not true. The crowds at President Trump’s inauguration paled in comparison to the huge swell of people at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. Nevertheless, Conway defended Spicer, calling his words to the press a statement of “alternative facts.”

It is remarkable how gullible this administration considers the electorate to be. I find it interesting because of the way this approach resembles and reflects fundamentalist religion. Fundamentalist religion, Christian or otherwise, feeds and grows on the gullibility of people to believe what they want to believe. It thrives on the propagation of beliefs that defy logic, reason, science, and common sense, but somehow appeal to our lower instincts and passions.

For example, consider how many Christians believe that the biblical account of the ark (we have got a big one here in Kentucky supported by tax dollars) and Noah’s flood is actually a historical, factual account. The actual logistics of this is impossible (it denies science) and the… [Read more…] about The "Alternative Facts" of Fundamentalist Religion

I Was Wrong About Homosexuality

January 23, 2017 by Alex Camire in LGBT

I had a friend in high school. He was the closest friend I had who wasn’t a congregant at my church, and I didn’t have many friends outside of the church. We kept in contact after high school and hung out from time to time. About a year or two after high school, he said that he wanted to get together with me—there was something he wanted to tell me. We got coffee, and he ended up coming out to me, telling me that he was gay. I was the last person on his list of people he wanted to tell in person.

I grew up in a conservative Christian culture that was staunchly opposed to homosexuality. It’s hard to say that without bringing to mind an image of a bunch of angry protestors holding up signs saying “God Hates [gays].” We weren’t hostile zealots like that; we just had a particular belief like most Christians do when it comes to this topic. My friend knew I was of the conservative Christian tribe, which is why he had saved me for last. As close as we were, he was aware that this would affect our friendship.

How gracious can you be to someone while standing firm in the belief that their orientation is a sin? That’s how I was to my recollection. I wasn’t incensed or abrasive, I even pointed out that I wasn’t the type of Christian to ever stand with the signs that said God hated him (as if that would make me look better). When asked what my beliefs were about him being gay, I made all the standard arguments there were, while being as kind and respectful as I could. And at some… [Read more…] about I Was Wrong About Homosexuality

Confessions of a Doubting Christian

January 20, 2017 by Emma Higgs in Christian Spirituality

Some days I find it really hard to believe in God.

I sit in church surrounded by the familiar, friendly faces, perusing the notice sheet as the worship band finish their sound check with a chorus of “10,000 Reasons,” and I’m convinced we’ve made it all up.

We’re kidding ourselves, aren’t we? It’s obviously just wishful thinking. A fairy story. A diversion from reality, far too good to be true.

The questions rage, unfiltered, through my mind.

“If there is a God, why would he answer our prayers about the weather for the summer youth camp whilst ignoring the cries of a Syrian mother begging for her three young children to be spared?”

“Even if there is a God who answers prayer, how likely is it that we predominantly white, middle class Baptists in 21st century Britain have him/her all figured out?”

“Isn’t it perfectly possible that all our ‘spiritual’ experiences and answers to prayer can be explained away by psychology and neuroscience?”

I look around at other people in the congregation and wonder, is it just me? Or are there others who have these same doubts but are too afraid to admit it?

It seems to me that people are walking out of church and losing their faith altogether because they are never given space to ask the tough questions. When their worldview expands and the “truth” they were taught in Sunday School stops making sense, the church responds by praying for their poor, backsliding souls and offering easy answers and carefully selected Bible verses.

We have a… [Read more…] about Confessions of a Doubting Christian

Not Anomalies: Reclaiming the Biblical Heroines

January 18, 2017 by Lindsay Mustafa Davis in Christian Issues

Growing up with a single mother, I learned that being a woman and being strong go hand in hand.

Growing up in the Pentecostal church, I learned that the Holy Spirit gave the power to everyone, male or female, to preach the Gospel, live a Christ-like life, and do fantastic works that would bring people to Jesus.

In two formative ways, I learned that to be a woman is not in and of itself a hindrance to accomplishment. Being a woman, in both contexts, is something to be celebrated. Together, my mother and the Spirit emboldened me to do anything God put in my heart to do.

So of course I asked if the Spirit was calling my beloved, empowered self to be a leader in the church, maybe even a pastor.

Then things got weird.

My mom told me there was no question: of course I could be a pastor if that was what I really wanted to do.

The church of my youth and evangelical groups I joined, however, told me there were limits to this empowerment, especially for girls. Perhaps the Spirit might have given me the gifts of teaching, but only to teach children, youth, and other women.

But to teach everyone, including (and especially) men? You heard God wrong on that, they said. Maybe instead of being a pastor, you’re called to be a pastor’s wife.

I balked quite a bit at that idea.

So I found myself confused. And as a result, I asked more questions.

I asked, “Why would the Spirit awaken such gifts within me only to put odd limits on them for the sole fact that I am female, not male?”

No, the Bible Isn't God's Personal Letter to You

January 13, 2017 by Dan Wilkinson in Christian Issues

The message above recently appeared on the sign outside a church in my neighborhood. I’m hard pressed to think of a message that more perfectly encapsulates all that is wrong with modern American conservative Christianity. It’s this perspective–one of extreme biblicism and hyper-individualism–that has led to virtually every misstep taken by the modern Church.

Though it might seem pedantic, it’s important to clarify the problems with this message:

The Bible wasn’t written by God. It was written and edited by a variety of human authors over hundreds of years. God may very well have inspired these texts (in any number of ways), but he definitely didn’t sit down and put pen to paper.
The Bible isn’t a letter. The collection of writings that appear in our modern Bibles includes a wide variety genres. A handful of these are actual letters, but the bulk of the Bible falls into other literary forms: historical narratives, wisdom literature, poetry, gospels, etc.
No parts of the Bible were written directly to you. The writings in the Bible were written to, for, and by specific individuals and communities for specific reasons. These texts all have cultural and historical contexts that are vastly different than our modern circumstances and can’t be simply ignored if we intend to take the Bible seriously.

All of those points should be relatively uncontroversial, but unfortunately many Christians regularly perpetuate beliefs to the contrary, holding up the Bible as an almost… [Read more…] about No, the Bible Isn't God's Personal Letter to You

Power Play: What You Can Do Inauguration Day

January 11, 2017 by Sarah Anderson in Current Events

I was in 3rd grade when I decided to try my hand in politics. Along with two others, I was vying for the position of elementary school treasurer. My campaign took a turn for the worse when I observed one of my opponents taking down a poster of hers–to relocate it–and I decided to start a rumor that she was dropping out of the race. I thought that would make me a shoe-in for the win.

Despite my best efforts, I still lost.

That’s when I decided I wasn’t cut out for politics. Not for any morally compelling reason, but because I was a sore loser, and also because I’d learned the hard way that politics makes you do funny things–like spread untrue rumors based on faulty reasoning. Maybe politics, in and of itself, wasn’t to blame, but rather, power was, the thing at the very root of the quest for elected position.

When I look back, I see that’s what the position for school treasurer was really about, what the draw for power allows us to attempt to get away with. What the lure of power makes us believe. What the attraction of power does to our conscience. It was a tempting game to play as a 3rd grader. So imagine how the higher stakes contort the game as adults.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” I think one look back at 2016 would confirm that. Power, it would seem, as much as we may want it, sometimes turns us into people we never thought we would be.

History tells… [Read more…] about Power Play: What You Can Do Inauguration Day

Plant Gardens and Eat What They Produce

January 9, 2017 by Buzz Dixon in Current Events

A friend asked for advice as a Christian for not letting Donald Trump’s evangelical support color our views. Here it is.

It’s going to be a long haul. Jeremiah warned the Israelites they were going down hard if they didn’t repent, but once they were conquered and in captivity, his message changed to one of compassion and encouragement:
This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I… [Read more…] about Plant Gardens and Eat What They Produce

I Am One with the Force; The Force Is with Me — a Star Wars Theology

January 4, 2017 by Luke Wilson in Christian Spirituality

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead! I say “minor” because there’s no plot points given away here, I’m just discussing an aspect of a character in the film, but I know some people (like me) don’t like to hear too much of anything before they see a film!

If you have seen the new Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, you will be familiar with a guy called Chirrut Îmwe. When he feels threatened or in times of peril when he wants protection, he repeats the short mantra: “I am one with the Force; the Force is with me.” Now, Chirrut is not a Jedi (apparently, actual spoilers in this link), but is a Force-sensitive “warrior monk” according to his Wiki (even though his skills displayed in the film look very Jedi-like!).

Despite not being in the “Jedi club,” this character shows a strong dedication to his faith in The Force and his belief in its protection and power in his life, even in those times where he had good reason to doubt, and even when he as actively encouraged to do so by his companions! But instead of thinking the Force had failed him, it strengthened his resolve and made him “pray” all the more in faith and trust that everything would be fine and that they’d be safe.

I couldn’t help but see the parallels in his “faith” and “prayer” to how our life as Christians ought to be concerning the work of the Spirit in and through us. I found this encouraging and it reminded me of an ancient Christian mantra-like prayer which is still prayed today by some… [Read more…] about I Am One with the Force; The Force Is with Me — a Star Wars Theology

Three Things I've Learned in 2016

January 2, 2017 by Hunter C. Beezley in Christian Spirituality

It’s the first day of the new year. I’m sitting across from my wife, groggily sipping some necessarily strong coffee in a cozy and warm cafe.

She asks, “What have you learned in 2016?”

It’s good and healthy to ask that question. It helps us to reflect on the past, learn from it, then move on with this new year. It’s going to move on whether you’d like it to or not. The problem is that I would like it to move right along as soon as possible. I’m sure I’m not alone in that sentiment.

2016 was especially difficult. It was a dense year. Chock full of major world events, too many deaths that came way too soon, and one of the most difficult, ridiculous, and devastating political elections in this country (especially for progressives). Then there’s my own life: both my wife and I have experienced more change, growth, and newness in this last year than we ever have before. So when I’m asked, “what have you learned in 2016?” it’s a difficult question to answer because it seems as if the list may not end.

But I still have to answer. I have to start somewhere.

What I’ve included below is merely a start in a longer reflective process.

This is what we talked about as we both—together—began to answer that question. What I’ve learned in 2016:

To take seriously the imperative, “love your neighbors as yourself” (Mark 12:31) is an impossibility unless I genuinely get to know who my neighbor is. Like that old scribe asked Jesus, “who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), it goes… [Read more…] about Three Things I've Learned in 2016