A Different Kind of Christianity...

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   MelissaBarrettposted 10 years ago

   It was suggested to me that I start a thread about my own faith... I think that's a wonderful idea. Christianity, which was always fractured at best, has largely broken down into the progressives vs. the fundamentalists. The fundies get more press, as they tend to scream the loudest and do the things that piss people off most. The progressives tend to view the whole thing with disgust and go about our business the best that we can while tactically ignoring the fact that the world is defining Christianity by those who, I feel, are least like Christ.
   
   Mo and I are often lumped together, which is ironic because we have radically different personalities. Our faith, however, is quite similar... even though we come from completely different denominations. We generally come to the same conclusions about right and wrong, even though we walk different paths to get there. That leads me to believe that the rift in Christianity isn't even about denomination... it's about following Christianity vs. following Christ.
   
   Mainly though, the reason Mo and I are lumped together is because we aren't fundamentalists. We, I think, are defined by not being what everyone else has came to expect from the faith. That's sad on so many levels... because there are so many of us out there. We, in fact, represent the majority of Christians. It's a largely silent majority though... mainly because the minority is so very unpleasant to deal with.
   
   Anyway, to start off the conversation about progressive Christians, I'm going to carry over the subject from the other thread to highlight the differences between the two factions...
   
   Here's a great article on Missionary work from a non-fundamentalist point of view.
   
   http://www.wideopenground.com/missions- … christian/
   
   The final line: "Wrong is when we are more concerned with hell and damnation than the love of the people." is a very representative statement of the progressive Christian viewpoint.

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      Cgenaeaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      So befitting that I stumble across this thread by doing something I never do.
      Ok...
      We, fundies, are the minority??? Hmmm... have you taken in the fact that, "Few, there be, who find it." ???
      I am ashamed that there are those who feel that the majority rules...
      However, from your, very obvious viewpoint,  that's the ticket...
      Please don't get me wrong, I love you, with every fiber of my spiritual being...
      I know that you like the idea of following Jesus, but... the two of you, are drastically different.

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         SirDentposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I am asking you nicely to please let her alone.  You two do not get along and it always leads to a fight.  The Bible says, "When possible, live at peace with all men."

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            Cgenaeaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Oh... respectably as I possibly may; this is highly important. The ideas are off kilter.
            We all have something... but pass up an opportunity to, "Get an understanding, with all our getting. " ???
            It's irresponsible, and against the admonishment to restore.
            I am not beyond reproof, I know. So if I may learn of something new that Jesus said/did, we are all the better.
            I ask you to moderate, as is your gift, if you will...
            We were instructed to reason together. I don't know why everyone runs from it...
            Oh, the bans???
            What will be, will be...
            We come here often. Why not allow it to profit?
            Maybe we won't fight...
            Ok, ok... I'm juss play'n... lol...
            But, God benefits.
            I got the same sword Jesus used. When I put it down, restore, if you will. But correction was the entire business of Jesus. He came to set straight. 
            We are at odds. We must see who needs restoring. I am not afraid or ashamed of correction. But, I need to know.
            Am I seeing Jesus all wrong???
            He sat and fully explained himself to his 12.
            He expects us to too... anything you feel compelled to add, please do...

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   AshtonFireflyposted 10 years ago

   Interesting post. This is a side of the Christian circle I don't see very often.

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      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Bah, we fight. We've always fought. It's always between the "Orthodox" and the "progressive." They used to call it heresy and burn people for it... now we just fight on forums.
      
      The definition of Christianity, I believe, is in the process of changing. I guess it always is though and always has been.
      
      Anyway, there's an interesting movement happening that has dubbed itself "unfundamentalists" They differ on some of the biggies of my denomination, but I respect them and what they are trying to do.
      
      i hate cutting and pasting long blocks of text... so here is a link to what they do. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unfundamen … hristians/
      
      Again, they aren't a great fit with some of my core beliefs, and I'm not encouraging anyone to join up, I just think that the difference in attitude is amazing... and it gives me hope.

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         AshtonFireflyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         That's interesting. There isn't much I haven't heard of, but I hadn't heard of the "unfundamentalists" until reading the article you posted. There is a definite difference in attitude there from a typical "fundamentalist" comparable list that could be made, and I can definitely see why there would be such controversy.
           You're right. It's always been a fight between the "liberal" and the "conservative," in the Christian circle. The approach to how one lives their Christian life is so complicated that I'm almost convinced there are as many versions of Christianity as there are people, regardless of upon how much they agree. I've seen all the fights. Liberals saying conservatives are hypocritical and stuffy; conservatives saying liberals are too loose and distorting scripture to fit their lifestyle, etc.
           It's good to see all sides of the Christian view. Maybe some stereotypes will slowly start to die once people realize that not all Christians are the same.

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            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            As important as it is that those outside the faith know those things, I think it's as important for Christians to understand them. The "fundamentalists" of today, used to be the progressives and so on throughout history. There isn't a Christian alive right now that doesn't hold a view that was at one time labeled heretical. We LOVE persecuting each other. We seem to think, for some reason, that Jesus is proud of us for it.

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               AshtonFireflyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Well said.

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               Mel92114posted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Perfectly stated.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   Well, here is another yummy chocolate in the Box! The Unfundamentalist Chocolate, I mean Christian!

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   This chocolate may not be the one for you. Thats all.

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   DoubleScorpionposted 10 years ago

   If one wishes to know if they are right or wrong in how they are following Jesus...They need only to read the Four Gospels..and only the Four Gospels. And once complete, honestly ask themselves if the life they lead...how they talk,how they treat others, etc...matches the stories told in the Four Gospels.

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      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Red-Letter Christianity does have it's appeals
      
      Here's a link to that movement:
      
      http://www.redletterchristians.org/start/

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      Jeramiposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree completely ......
      If we could undo what has already been done ?????
      
           Imagine if we can,  ...  IF we had NEVER ever heard anything from any religious perspective:  nothing!
         If our only perspective was the intended message as delivered in the words written in red, nothing added, it shouldn't be hard to follow his directive.
         It is only when we are looking for loop holes to justify our desires that it becomes difficult.
      
        IMO  Jesus was just trying to tell us how to live as trouble free and joyous of a life as possible while allowing others the same privilege.
         The farther we stray from his directives as described in those words written in red advocate; the more worrisome and troublesome our lives become.
      Worries, our concern for our troubles and selfishness separates us from peace joy and love, there by separating us from God.
          This is not a law ordained by God.   It is just a fact of life. 
      Mankind has turned these facts of life into a religion. 
      This is why Jesus was always chastising the Scribes and Pharisees.
      Why are we making up so many rules that even we can't keep?

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         DoubleScorpionposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         And it is because of this statement that we have the trouble we do today.

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   Cgenaeaposted 10 years ago

   Sounds good... yet...

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   Carol McCulloughposted 10 years ago

   Hi, I feel we all should focus on following the foot steps of Jesus, and helping people that are in pain. An stop focusing on ourselves as much.

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      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree.

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