Evangelical Christians vs. Fundamentalists

Re: Granny's post below, In The Name of Christ , Check it out!
she reports some Evangelicals dragging a teen behind a van by a rope. Even though individuals of any faith or no faith at all can be cruel, stupid, and domineering, I consider these so-called Christians more likely to be Fundies.

Many people, even other Christ followers ( Christians), do not understand the difference between Evangelical Christians and Fundamentalist Christians. The confusion is compounded by the fact that some Christians call themselves Evangelicals and yet actually follow and teach the core beliefs of the Fundamentalists, a la Jerry Falwell. Basically, the Fundies are a subset of the Evangelicals, sharing many common beliefs and yet radically different in some ways. Most radio/TV pastors are really Fundies and teach their doctrine to a wide audience.

A great many of the Evangelical faithful and their pastors are also confused, having a poor understanding of the true rigidity, intolerance and ultimate goals of the Fundies. Fundamentalists actively proselytize to win new converts as do Evangelicals, but the Fundies also proselytize to Evangelical pastors, thus engaging assistance in leading the flocks and enlarging their power/voter/political base. Usually the solid core of their rigid Old Testament beliefs are kept quiet and the gullible faithful are deceived and led astray. This has happened to some of my Christian family members; they, in innocent ignorance, have fallen victim to Fundie preaching and do not have the slightest idea of what intolerance they are backing.

These family members regard me as an apostate, a black sheep strayed from the fold, and they earnestly pray for me to be enlightened, convicted of the error of my ways, and return to the path of righteousness. I love them for their concern and I despair at their blindness. Some acquaintences and emailers have accused me and Granny of being anti-Christian because we criticize the Fundies. Some even accuse me of being anti-God and anti-Jesus. Not so! I iterate and reiterate that Granny and I are practising Christians, trying our human best to follow the teachings of Christ, which are basically loving our fellow men and how to live in peace and harmony with each other - to act civilized!

Granny and I are merely human, subject to err and to human weaknesses. We may be a bit greyish instead of snowy white and even display a dark spot or two, but we are not black sheep. We are not apostate, anti-Christian, anti-God nor anti-Jesus. We are practising Christians and beg your indulgence when we stumble now and then.

Granny and Worried? A bit greyish old ewes instead of snowy white and perhaps bearing a dark spot or two? But we follow the Shepherd, nevertheless.

That said, back to Evangelicals vs. Fundies. I'd like readers to understand the difference and know that criticism of Fundies on our post does not equate to denunciation of Christians at large. Also, I'd like readers to please not be disposed against ALL Christians because of radicals. That is rather like being biased against all blacks or all (fill in the blank) because a few are criminals or wrongdoers.

PBS Frontline - Evangelicals Vs. Fundamentalists .
WA: I now can't make the url work. If you want to read the entire article, do a search to:
evangelical christians vs fundamentalists

1. frontline: the jesus factor: evangelicals: evangelicals v ...
   People often get confused between the terms evangelical and fundamentalist. ... fundamentalists and evangelicals believe that conservative Christians should ...
   www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/evangelicals/vs.html - 25k - Cached

Excerpts: (WA:emphasis mine.)

Let He Who is Without Sin Cast the First Stone		Editor-in-chief, Beliefnet People often get confused between the terms evangelical and fundamentalist. They mean two different things. Evangelicals are a very broad group. It's probably a third or 40 percent of the population of the United States. Fundamentalists are a subset of that. They are very conservative politically.[WA: and are VERY politically active!] Have a literalist view of the Bible. ....... Author, Religion and the Culture Wars The differences between fundamentalism and evangelicalism are a bit subtle, and oftentimes difficult to understand from the outside. A lot of it is a style. Fundamentalists tend to be very strict. They tend towards intolerance. Notice, I said, "tend towards intolerance." Many of them are not intolerant. But they tend towards that direction. They tend to be very judgmental. They tend to want to require an awful lot of individuals who would join their communion. And they tend to be very, very critical of other Christians -- even other evangelical Christians -- who don't share their very strict approach to religion. .............. [WA: I TOLD you folks that if the Fundies gain political supremacy that Granny and I would be doomed to the stoning pit for Old Testament execution. Sigh! Well, we'll be in good company of many of our friends. "Hi there, Betmo. How're you doing, Madcap Mum? Hey, there 's Yellowdog Granny and Daniel! Jeez, there's a bunch of us Bloggers here! C'mon over here you guys and let's visit awhile until they start the festivities. I hope they don't preach and pray too long. It's too hot to stand around waiting. I'd just as soon get it over with. " Lookit that big guy with the WWJJD on his jacket. He's already picked out a huge rock. If he's a good rock thrower, one hit with that to the head and it's all over for his target. That little skinny wench with all the crosses and angels pinned to her blouse has a pretty good rock, too, and she looks determined and eager to get on with the stoning. What worries me is all those kids and others that have little rocks. THOSE are gonna HURT and just prolong the ordeal. "Dang it! Why do they have to use the Old Testament method of execution? What is wrong with the good old fashioned hangings, electrocutions, firing squads or even beheading like the French did? I don't think I'd like the beheadings with a sword like the Islamists do but a guillotine was pretty quick and accurate. Accuracy is important during executions. "Well, Friends. The crowd is getting restless and I think that's the final 'Amen' and chorus of 'Praise the Lord' and 'Hallelujah'. Looks like the fun is about to begin. So long, it's been good knowing you... OUCH! Dammit! Here it comes! "Aw, Rats!" Let He Who is Without Sin Cast the First Stone. John 8:7 - NT COMMENTS: Granny said... The last part of your post made me smile. I didn't think anything could. Wednesday, August 15, 2007 3:32:00 AM