Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

49 “Master,” sa id John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to s top him, because he is not one of us .”

50 “Do not s top him,” Jesus sa id, “for whoever is not aga ins t you is for you.”

Luke 9:49-50 (NIV)

The e-mail Title:

Pope Francis Declares That Christian Fundamentalism ‘Is A Sickness’

What does the Pope really say:

“Fundamentalism is a sickness that is in all religions,”

“We Catholics have some — and not some, many — who believe in the absolute truth and go ahead dirtying the other with calumny, with disinformation, and doing evil.”

“They do evil,” “I say this because it is my church.”“We have to combat it ,” he said. “Religious fundamentalism is not religious, because it lacks God. It is idolatry, like the idolatry of money.”E-mail information drawn from this site: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-attacks-

fundamentalist-catholics-dismisses-condom-ban-as-unimp

I received this e-mail last week and it is circulating in our ranks

Fundamentalism – a response to:

Liberalism in many Pulpits and SeminariesHigher Biblical CriticismThe developments in Science and particularly the teaching of EvolutionThe advance of SecularismThe rapid Societal Changes

They insisted on theconversion experience through faith in Jesus Christ alone,the reliability of the Bible in matters of science and history as well as theologythe imminent physical return of Christ to the earth Christ would establish a millennial reign of peace and righteousness on earth Reuben Torrey (ed)The Fundamentals (1910-1915).

A high point in the Fundamentalist-Modernist Conflict was the trial of John Scopes for teaching evolution in a public school in Dayton, Tennessee

Scopes

C.Darrow

Darrow Bryan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=l5Kdc0LLSW8&feature=fvwp

By the end of the 1920s, fundamentalism in America had lost influence. It was Humiliated by the Scopes "monkey trial,“ it retreated from public view and seemed doomed to disapear.

Yet, fundamentalism survived, reemerged as a thriving and influential movement.

Today it is impossible to read a newspaper or watch TV without being aware of fundamentalism in American society and politics.

One of the great surprises today is the reawakening of a

militant Fundamentalism within every major religious tradition

10/03 2005-155 c John Ditchburn

This reemergence of This reemergence of Fundamentalism has been a real Fundamentalism has been a real surprise. As the last century surprise. As the last century wound down it was believed that wound down it was believed that secularism would triumph.secularism would triumph.

Then, toward the end of the 20Then, toward the end of the 20 thth

century, fundamentalists began century, fundamentalists began to strongly oppose the secularist to strongly oppose the secularist trend and started to bring trend and started to bring religion back into the public religion back into the public square.square.

Jon Krakauer “The Fundamentalist Religious Views That Inspired Ammon Bundy and His Mil i t ia to Occupy a Remote Federal Facil i ty in Oregon” http://www.huff ingtonpost .com/jon-krakauer/fundamentalist-religious-ammon-bundy-milit ia-oregon_b_8931762.html

Militant Fundamentalism Militant Fundamentalism manifested itself sometimes in manifested itself sometimes in some shocking manifestations. In some shocking manifestations. In some instances fundamentalists some instances fundamentalists have:have: Shot worshippers in a mosqueShot worshippers in a mosque Killed doctors and nurses who Killed doctors and nurses who

performed abortions performed abortions Islamist fanatics shootings in

San Bernardino, California killing 14 people

Important to Remember Important to Remember

Only a very small minority Only a very small minority of fundamentalists of fundamentalists commit acts of terrorcommit acts of terror, , yet may fundamentalists yet may fundamentalists do oppose strongly many do oppose strongly many of the positive values of of the positive values of modern society. modern society.

http://www.interspirit.net/alliance/religion.cfm

Importance of Understanding Importance of Understanding Fundamentalism in Modern WorldFundamentalism in Modern World Fundamentalism has become an essential part Fundamentalism has become an essential part

of the modern world and increasingly plays a of the modern world and increasingly plays a role in domestic and international affairs:role in domestic and international affairs:

What is the meaning of What is the meaning of Fundamentalism Fundamentalism

Why did it developedWhy did it developed What can it tell us about the What can it tell us about the

different religions and culturesdifferent religions and cultures How we should relate to it. How we should relate to it.

http://dorriescomicsandcartoons.blogspot.com/2012/10/fundamentals-of-fundamentalism.html

HADDEN, JEFFREY K.: 1992

Types of

Fundamentalism

The Reawakening of American

Fundamentalism

Military Religious Freedom

Foundation

A literal approach to the interpretation of the Qur’an Believe that Islam has been corrupted by the modern world Want to return to the way people practiced Islam in more “pure times”

No separation between religious and secular authority – the state should implement Shariah law Innovation is to be avoided Belief in revolution to affect social change Education of women should be banned – strict role for women The use of modern technology within the Islamic state should be banned or censored – radio, tv, internet, etc Jihad is to be waged to “remove the obstacles to the religion of God” Jihad is a religious war with those who are” unbelievers in the mission of the Prophet Muhammad”

Orissa: terror on Christmas Day as fundamentalists kill three people, set 13

Churches on fire, Asia News, 12/26/2007

“Hindu fundamentalism” in India has been influenced more by nationalism than by religion, in part because Hinduism does not have a specific sacred text to which conformity can be demanded. The focus is on Hinduvta ("Hinduness") . Hindus alone constitute the Indian nation as they are the original inhabitants of this land and have created this society and its culture.

Stop , conversions, or soon Hindus will be a minority in India," said Ashok Singhal,

leader (VHP), a fundamentalist group. Attack non-Hindus

In Sri Lanka, where about 70 percent of the population is Theravada Buddhist, a group of monks formed the Bodu Bala Sena or the Buddhist Power Force in 2012 to “protect” the country’s Buddhist culture. They carried out at least 241 attacks against Muslims and 61 attacks against Christians in 2013, according to the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

ReactionaryReacting to aspects of modernism that is a danger to their beliefs. They object to those aspects of social change that they are against, such as

racial equality, women's rights, scientific progress and social movements that are consequences of modernism.

ExclusiveFundamentalists believe that they alone have access to objective truth and absolute morality

AbsolutistAbsolutist stance against what they consider to be the dangers of relativism. They believe they have special access to objective truth, doubt is considered to be a weakness. If fundamentalists consider something immoral, it remains immoral regardless of societal context.

Life by the Book - Literalist The sources of their tradition is taken as literal truths, especially when it fits an agenda that is in opposition to the world. No room for interpretations

Going Back to “The Good Old Days” - Return to Previous Ideal – a Mythical Past

http://www.ehow.com/info_8760738_10-characteristics-religious-fundamentalism.html

SelectiveReligious fundamentalists tend to tailor their beliefs in order to fit well with their reactive worldview.

AuthoritarianStrong institutional and charismatic leadership is a hallmark of religious fundamentalist organizations.

With-or-AgainstBeing completely in the group or set apart from it as an enemy.

Strict MoralityMembers of fundamentalist groups must conform to strict moral boundaries, which may include dressing modestly, not smoking or drinking, a refusal to read certain literature or listen to particular music

End-t ime CertaintyCertainty regarding the future of the world, which usually is based upon prophetic revelation that includes an apocalyptic end, judgment of unbelievers, and their own final vindication in the world to come.http://www.ehow.com/info_8760738_10-characteristics-religious-fundamentalism.html

ReactionaryReacting to aspects of modernism that is a danger to their beliefs. They object to those aspects of social change that they are against, such as

Fundamentalists reject Fundamentalists reject many Modern Values: many Modern Values:

DemocracyDemocracy PluralismPluralism Religious tolerationReligious toleration Free speechFree speech Separation of church Separation of church and stateand state Some Scientific advancesSome Scientific advances Woman’s equalityWoman’s equality social movements that are

consequences of modernism

"In winning a nation to the gospel, the sword as well as the pen must be used." " D e m o c r a c y i s a h e r e s y a g a i n s t G o d ! ”

-R.J. Rushdooney, Director of the Rutherford Institute,architect of "Christian Reconstructionism.”

Clash between Islam and Modernity

Fundamental ist revolt against the

modern age

Exclusive

Fundamentalists believe that they alone have access to objective truth and absolute morality

Absolutist

Absolutist stance against what they consider to be the dangers of relativism. They believe they have special access to objective truth, doubt is considered to be a weakness. If fundamentalists consider something immoral, it remains immoral regardless of societal context.

The Bible (Koran, Torah) is absolutely true and without error in all that it affirms; theologically, historically, and cosmologically. All other religions are false and their disagreeing teachings are inspired by the devil.

“Fundamentalism is a sickness that exists in all religions. We Catholics have some, not just some, so many, who believe they have the absolute truth and they move forward with calumnies, with defamation and they hurt (people), they hurt.” Pope Francis http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-text-of-popes-in-flight-interview-from-africa-to-rome-48855/

Life by the Inerrant Books - Selective Literalist The sources of their tradition is taken as literal truths, especially when it fits an agenda that is in opposition to the world. No room for interpretations.

Going Back to “The Good Old Days” – Return to Previous Ideal (No closer to God in the “Golden Age)

“…even if the Christian Right gained all the political power it covets, America would be no more closer to God than it was in the "Golden Age" of a few hundred years back, when "Christian America" was butchering Native Americans and enslaving millions of Africans. http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/the-myth-of-a-christian-nation

“Religious fundamentalism in actual fact seeks to impose a new hegemonic order. In order to assist this project, it invokes mythical memories of a perfect age where religious principles were followed to the book and all was well with the world; it relies on the constant creation of a set of enemies who were/are responsible for all that went wrong with this perfect world.”https://www.citelighter.com/philosophy/philosophy/knowledgecards/religious-fundamentalism

Warren Jeffs

Al-Zawahiri

AuthoritarianStrong institutional and charismatic leadership is a hallmark of religious fundamentalist organizations.

Myanmar’s Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu the leader of 969, a fundamentalist movement, toProtect Buddhism John Hagee

Al-Baghdadi

With-or-Against. DualismBeing completely in the group or set apart from it as an enemy.The Fundamentalists divide the world into clear-cut binary categories of good/evil, right/wrong, us/them. They are suspicious and angry at those on the wrong side of the divide.

Islamic Fundamentalism: The world is divided into two

spheres, Dar al-Islam ("the home of Islam”) and Dar al-Harb

("house of war”). denizens are either to be converted, killed.

Dualism

Strict MoralityMembers of fundamentalist groups must conform to strict moral boundaries, which may include dressing modestly, not smoking or drinking, a refusal to read certain literature or listen to particular music

http://www.ehow.com/info_8760738_10-characteristics-religious-fundamentalism.html

Billy Sunday, Charles Fuller, Billy Graham, and others believed Armageddon was nigh, these preachers used what little time was left to warn of the coming Antichrist, save souls, and prepare the nation for God’s final judgment. Apocalyptic thinking continues to exert enormous influence over the American mainstream today and conservative Politics

End-time CertaintyCertainty regarding the future of the world, which usually is based upon prophetic revelation that includes an apocalyptic end, judgment of unbelievers, and their own final vindication in the world to come.

Some fundamentalist Christians believe when Israel occupies all Greater Palestine and the Jews have rebuilt the temple, Christ will come again.

Some fundamentalist Jews believe when they rebuild the Temple the Messiah will come.

Some Palestinians say if anyone destroys the two Islamic Shrines on the Temple mount they will start WWIII.

All three of these scenarios play straight into fundamentalist beliefs and they are working hard to make them happen. They may be successful. Each believing it is by the "will of God".

Prominent American fundamentalists provide hard-line support for Israel while looking forward to the apocalypse. Messianic fervor has driven some Israeli settlers to oppose peace. And the Islamic apocalyptic visions casts Israel's actions in Jerusalem as diabolic plots.

The End of Days shows how conflict over Jerusalem and the fiery belief in apocalypse continue to have a potent impact on world politics and why a lasting peace in the Middle East continues to prove elusive.

End-time Certainty

John Hagee Cornerstone Church

Reverend John Hagee, the leader of the over one mill ion strong

“Christians United for Israel”End-time Certainty

Clifford Goldstein: “I warned that much of the evangelical obsession and support of the Jewish nation was based on an eschatology that, among other things,

predicted the death of millions of Jews, with those who survived converting to Christianity (deemed by many Jews as a fate worse than death!). “

http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/the-myth-of-a-christian-nation

End-time Certainty

http://archives.adventistreview.org/article/795/archives/issue-2006-1530/the-appeal-and-peril-of-fundamentalism

http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/religious-freedom-or-religious-fundamentalism

January/February 2008

The fundamentalist mind-set is finally unacceptable to a child of God who is created in His image as a free moral agent and committed to the teachings of Jesus. There is in fundamentalism a built-in resistance to freedom, to learning, and to creativity that opposes itself to the God who gave us all these gifts. Fundamentalism wherever found—in Tel Aviv, Tajikistan, or Toledo—reveals its taste for bigotry, for fanaticism, for rigidity and exclusiveness at a moment when the world is crying out for bridge builders and peacemakers. It revels in control—doctrinally, politically, even in the family—and justifies its refusal to dialogue and learn by its suspicions of other opinions and other faiths. While seeking to preserve the truth about God, fundamentalism ultimately gives a terribly distorted view of His character and His attitudes. While we may share some of its concerns, and also look forward to the day when all things are restored to God’s design, Adventists will relate to fundamentalism as they do to every other human “ism.” In the name of Him who died to set us free, we will build up the kingdom in His way.  http://archives.adventistreview.org/article/795/archives/issue-2006-1530/the-appeal-and-peril-of-fundamentalism

Neither Relativism nor Fundamentalism offers a basis for reasoned discourse on moral choices. We need a revitalized “protestant” middle way.

Romans 14:1-23 "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to

disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him...One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind...But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you

show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not

to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." (NKJ)