| We're seeing what fanatically following of absolutes | | | | than they, and those who constantly need to identify |
| produces- hell on earth! Once upon a time I was | | | | who is IN and who is OUT are dangerous. |
| proud to be called a "fundamentalist". I wore such a | | | | They're dangerous to themselves and to the witness |
| label with pride and therein I was making a huge | | | | they think they are preserving. |
| mistake that was leading me into deeper | | | | The subconscious carry-over of the Old Testament |
| self-deception. Don't hear that I think ALL so-called | | | | "understandings of God" that are birthed in |
| fundamentalists are wrong or have evil in their heart. | | | | conquering the enemy, imposing bans on groups of |
| They simply believe too deeply in ABSOLUTES! | | | | people, and the never-ending list of purity codes |
| Religious zealots and absolutists led the Crusades, | | | | have caused us to miss the message of Jesus. The |
| Inquisitons, and much of the hatred that we see in | | | | myth of "redemptive violence" is simply an outgrowth |
| the Middle East. Absolutism isn't limited to any one | | | | of absolutism. The stench of exclusivity is just the |
| religion. As psychologists will tell you, absolutes are | | | | opposite of the inclusiveness of Jesus. |
| what we normally use to justify our VIOLENCE! Can | | | | Absolutism knows no mercy as it's Old Testament |
| you say wars? We have Islamic, Christian, Hindu, | | | | "law based". Eventually such a mindset will unwind |
| Jewish, and so many more groups of fundamentalists | | | | itself on others in the form of violence (passive or |
| within those majestic religions who are stealing their | | | | active). The blame for evil is "out there" and not here |
| founder's message. | | | | which of course absolves the finger-pointer of any |
| Jesus was the "savior of the world" in many respects | | | | and all guilt. That would be bad enough if it stopped |
| but it was in His teaching of non-violence and | | | | there, but it can't. That's another trait of absolutism. |
| forgiveness that he unmasked the true identity of sin | | | | It will eventually manifest itself in a rage that even |
| and sin management that the church labors so | | | | the ego can't control because it's usually caught up in |
| diligently to control. Those who believe thet "their | | | | a "group rage". |
| religion" is the only true religion, those that have no | | | | Let us remember- God is LOVE! |
| tolerance or love for people who believe differently | | | | |