Fundamentalism is an attitude. It is characterised by unquestioning submission to an absolute authority. Fundamentalists say they submit to god but on close examination it turns out that the submission is to a tradition of religious teaching. Fundamentalist theology is pretty bad stuff. Poorly thought out, shot through with holes, and disparaging of every other type of religion. Intolerance of alternative view points (see cults), belief systems, and people who do not follow the teaching of the fundamentalists is a characteristic of fundamentalism. Within Christianity, fundamentalism is tied to a view of the bible as an absolutely true word from god. Fundamentalist Christians call it 'inerrancy'. Fundamentalist Christians have an ability to compartmentalise their knowledge and beliefs. For example, a fundamentalist may be a biologist or geologist. Professionally they deal with the evidence for evolution and the age of the Earth. But religiously they believe that evolution is untrue and that the earth is between 10,000 and 6,000 years old. Fundamentalist Christians are into 'proof texting' as well. It's a method of interpretation of scripture in which the fundamentalist's religion is imposed willy-nilly upon the bible. It helps to be completely closed minded about history, science, religion (outside their own) and scholarship if you're going to proof text :-). After all when you proof text your own view is the TRUTH and woe betide anybody who opposes you

-- (@@@@.I love you.com), September 04, 2002

Answers

Truly Catholicism is a broad umbrella. It may even be considered catholic that way. There are those in the Catholic church that have a very fundamentalist attitude toward their faith. Black and white, my way or the highway. Some are good friends of mine. One even wondered why her daughter became a fundamentalist. The Catholic Church also has many other attitudes in it. When attacking the fundamentalist churches, be careful that the finger does not point back to a large section of the Catholic church.

Compartamental thinking happens a lot to and with humans. Again, the pointing finger may point to the pointing person's friends or self.

Having mercy, humility or charity can help appriciate the thoughts of others, keep oneself getting a bigger head, and encourage cross bonding in churches. The Baptist and the Catholic union on abortion is a good example of what can come of not attacking the other religion, but of finding common goals.

Sean

-- Sean Cleary (seanearlyaug@juno.com), September 04, 2002.

"Fundamentalism is an attitude. It is characterised by unquestioning submission to an absolute authority."

Jesus gave His authority to the Church (the Catholic Church), and since I should be characterised by my unquestioning submission to the Churches absolute (God given) authority, I guess you could call me a "fundamentalist".

The world would be a better place if we had more true Catholic fundamentalists.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), September 04, 2002.

All nations were to receive the Holy Gospel. That's the basic order of her Founder to His apostles. In that Gospel we find all the revealed glory of God Almighty, His only-begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit living forever in our world as the Advocate of His Church. We accept this as the truth because Jesus Christ made it known; and that is the ''fundamental'' attitude of believing Catholics.

If the ''fundies'' you refer to have a problem with the truth, it's because they may have strayed from the True Church. Just because some would rather accept relativism than Catholicism and the truth, doesn't make relativists better Christians. Fundamentalists aren't good Christians either, if they reject the teachings of the Holy Apostles, given to us in the form of doctrine and Sacred Tradition. Holy Doctrine is not fundamentalist speculation, but revealed truth. You either believe it, or reject it.

This doesn't mean all that we believe has to have literal and always concrete, final understanding. Mysteries have come down to us, and remain mysteries which we believe on pure faith. Ultimately, we must believe because the words of the Son of God are incontrivertible. That's a fifty-cent word. Incontrivertible. Let's say rather, Jesus spoke only the TRUTH. You must take it or leave it, @@@@ for anonymous. Yes, we love you too.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), September 04, 2002.

Whether the bible is the inerent word of God or jesus is true or not is immaterrial. Certainly this can never be proven beyond a reasonable doubt except to those who believe it to be so based on faith alone. Though i consider myslef a christian in a broad sense i dont think anyone can give me true answers as to what gods intent for me or us in general can ever be. I think it inherent upon all of us to live our life in a manner so as to live by gods word the best we can. Since we are all sinners what more can we do. I think no matter how we live our lives once we go to mee the maker then that is when our true judgement will be determined for us. Those who purport to know gods word and want us to live within their defined concepts of what gods word is are arrogant at best. I say let them live their lives and leave others to do so as well. a further thread of this question was responded to by someone who called the catholic church the one true chuch. I would hope not there history would not reflect well even on many of the mass killer of this century alone. If the catholic church be the one true church then please allow me to find the one false church in complete opostion to them. The catholic church not catholics themselves are the root cause of more evil and destruction in this world both now and throughout the last 2000 years or so.

-- Chris West (chris.west@usarec.army.mil), September 18, 2002.

To who ever posted the last from Chris West. I am Chris West i did not post that message. Please do not send to the previous email address it was not my posting someone is playing a joke on me. LOL

-- Chris West (cpbsmw@msn.com), September 18, 2002.

Chris: ''An enemy hath done this.''

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), September 18, 2002.