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Right Is Wrong: Extremist Fundamentalism And The Campaign To Subvert Freedom
There are various degrees of religiosity among Christians in America and although there has always been a segment that goes to extremes in their beliefs, they seem to be growing in numbers. Actually, it is not that their numbers are necessarily growing, but their involvement in government and imposition of their beliefs on the country has risen since President Obama took office. Part of the reason fundamentalists feel emboldened to burden the country with their extremist views is the rise of Dominionists whose intentions are to control every aspect of society including family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government. However, Dominionists require acolytes to further their agenda and they find willing subjects among conservative Christians who are more than happy to advance an extremist vision for America.
As review; Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc.—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires and intentions that are different from one’s own. There is no group that demonstrates the inability to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one’s own than Christian fundamentalists. It is not that fundamentalist Christians will not acknowledge there are other approaches to life different from their own, it is that they are incapable of recognizing there are people who do not faithfully follow the perverse iteration of extremist Christian fundamentalism.
There is a good reason why conservative Christian fundamentalists are incapable of recognizing a different understanding of how to conduct one’s life. Ignorance plays a limited role in the extremist fundamentalist’s mindset that says god controls all aspects of life whether it is family values, the economy, global climate change, or government, but the primary reason is that they are inculcated from birth to believe everything in the world is controlled by an unseen, supernatural being, and that perfect adherence to god’s commandments is the sole path to success. The bible’s teachings, in the hands of extremist clergy, are used selectively to remove any responsibility or explanation of life from human beings. Christian fundamentalists begin training their adherents at very young ages that the bible is the exact, literal word of god, and failure to follow his orders brings harsh judgments and swift retribution. The clergy uses fear masqueraded as god’s love to teach followers that their mandate is to follow and enforce the bible’s teachings on every person in America. Although many Christians lean toward following Christ’s teaching, evangelical Christians cling to the Old Testament where god directly intervened in every aspect of life.
In the Christian bible, from Genesis to Malachi (Old Testament), there are myriad stories regarding god’s chosen people, the Israelites, and how he rewarded them for abject obedience and severely punished them for disobedience. When a Christian fundamentalist’s entire worldview has as it basis the example of god’s interaction with the nation of Israel, they assume that America, “a Christian nation,” will suffer the same fate as biblical Israelites without blind obedience to the “inspired word of god.”
There are numerous examples of far right Christians blaming America’s natural disasters, sluggish economy, and alleged moral decline on gays because the bible says god hates homosexuality, and that he is punishing the country for allowing them to exist. The idea that gays deserve equal rights does not resonate with extremists because they cannot acknowledge gays are anything but an abomination before god because if god says it, they believe it. Many Christian fundamentalists claim natural disasters are god’s punishment for Roe v Wade because they lack the ability to understand plate tectonics or weather, and will never comprehend why a woman may choose to get an abortion. Christian fundamentalists lack the ability to understand that a woman may have her own desires and beliefs that are not bible-based.
Right wing fundamentalists are so violently against abortion rights they feel justified calling for the murder of abortion providers to stop them based on an obscure scripture in the bible. These Christian fundamentalists cannot fathom any scenario where abortion is acceptable even in the case of incest or rape, and even if it is their own family member’s life at stake; and because they believe so strongly that god hates abortions, they will fight to the death to impose their beliefs on the entire country. When someone attempts to explain that abortion is a personal choice, extremists cannot comprehend that a different set of standards might lead to a different decision because to them, there are no different standards other than the bible’s.
The current attack on contraceptives is based on the account in Genesis where god told Adam and Eve to multiply, and it has led to the personhood amendments being proposed in over half the states. These conservative Christians do not possess the ability to consider there are people who do not subscribe to the notion that intercourse has to result in pregnancy. There are endless examples of fundamentalists who hold extremist viewpoints, and they will never abandon them because they would first have to acknowledge there are other viewpoints.
Conservative Christian fundamentalists are easily manipulated by Dominionists who acknowledge there are divergent viewpoints, but they go to extreme lengths to suppress them. Dominionist leaders have a ready-made army of obedient Christian soldiers who work tirelessly to force their beliefs on every American whether they are Christians or not. For example; fundamentalists believe that prayer works for them, so they cannot understand why the government does not force prayer on children in the public schools. It is the same with a woman’s right to choose, gay rights, government regulations, or an African American as President; fundamentalist lack the ability to acknowledge all Americans do not share evangelical beliefs.
There is no remedy for extreme Christian fundamentalism or its followers’ lack of theory of mind. The only hope for America is to prevent them from gaining power to install a theocracy that they feel is their god-given right. Moderate Christians are relatively silent in criticizing the fundamentalists for their extremist agenda, and a valid fear is that even moderates will fall prey to Dominionists if offered a choice between compliance and death. It is certainly not a stretch to imagine Christian fundamentalists imposing biblical punishments such as stoning to non-compliant Americans, because the Old Testament god commanded Israelites to slaughter every living being that did not fall in line and obey god’s word.
The greatest danger to this country may be extremist Christians who believe they are anointed by god to control the government. There is no reasoning with people who are incapable of recognizing there are different approaches to governing America other than extremist Christianity, because in order to reason, they must understand that others have different viewpoints that are not bible-based. It is nearly impossible to deal with Christian fanatics and it is why they are so dangerous with their strict adherence to biblical edicts and belief that god controls America, and it is why Dominionists have an easy time manipulating them. If the extremists were dogs, it is possible they could be trained, but dogs are not nearly as rigid in their thinking as conservative Christian fundamentalists who cannot acknowledge there are valid beliefs that do not emanate from the bible.
America has been under assault from Christian extremists since the rise of the religious right and as they continue drumming up support from people who lack theory of mind, the 21st Century Inquisition is rapidly approaching. Unfortunately, at this point there is little anyone can do to stop theocratic rule except to work frantically to elect leaders who understand there are different opinions, beliefs, and methods to govern America. If America is to continue and perpetuate its experiment with democracy, the people must oppose extremist Christian fundamentalists and their slaves in the Republican Party.
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23 Responses to Right Is Wrong: Extremist Fundamentalism And The Campaign To Subvert Freedom
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EmmaLib
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
People this extreme should not be allowed any where near OUR government or it will be the end of America as she was conceived by our founding forefathers.
Lance
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Our dear writer here has shown yet again another “TV Media” sort of understanding concerning us Bible believers. I personally did not grow up a Christian nor was I forced to go to church, etc. My choice to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior came after carefully and thoroughly analyzing every major religion, philosophy, and scientific theory available concerning our origins, meaning for being here, and ultimately (and most importantly) taking a hard look at the source information each view used to justify their positions.
After doing so, I chose to believe that the Bible is the supreme authority and could be trusted not only in understanding spiritual matters, but also as a history book. Even further, I later came to realize that it is also the only true scientific textbook on the planet. Space does not allow me to prove that in this short response.
Furthermore, the writer of this piece seems to miss so much about what the Bible teaches that he misrepresents many of the very basics. For example, God did not command the Israelites to kill and ‘slaughter’ anyone who didn’t ‘line up’. The command was to protect themselves from other peoples, nations, or kingdoms who intended to wipe them out. God, in effect, was therefore protecting the line from which the Messiah would come from. The key idea here is that it was essentially protecting the Jews from complete destruction….as has been the case over and over (yes, in the 20th Century and will happen again in the 21st).
Next, the writer brings up the idea that the country needs protection from ‘Fundamentalists’ taking over government and then continually cites that one of the reasons is that there are ‘different views’ which apparently he is protecting. Wake up man, the government has already turned away from the Bible and forbids it in anything but the most personal setting or church. In other words, you anti-Bible believers are imposing YOUR views on our society and are guilty of doing what you outright forbid ‘us’ from doing. The number of examples that could be given is so long that I’d have to add 1000 pages of text to start covering them.
Lastly for now, believing the Bible is the literal Word of God (actually, I’ll go a step further and say that the King James Bible is not only the Word of God, but contains the WORDS of God – not one person in 10,000 will get the difference…) does not mean you have to check your brain out at the door. In fact, although a child like faith can be a great thing and is applauded by Jesus, He does not intend men to ‘just believe’. You are supposed to ‘prove that these things are so’ by rigorous study and evaluation of the available facts and evidence. In that matter, I have personally concluded that the Bible stands on its on merit. Further debate is welcomed as I can relate to the skeptic being that I once was one.
Thanks for reading,
L.
Shiva (Moderator)
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Exactly in what way has the government turned away from religion? There was no religion in the government when it started. Are there commands in the bible for the US government to follow?
On the subject of fundies. Do you agreee that all forms of birth control need to be done away with so that there is no way of preventing childbirth? Do you believe that if a woman has a miscarriage she should be arrested? The first issue is being voted on in Mississippi very soon, the second is a bill that was brought out in Utah (not passed). However it was forwarded by a fundie group. There are a 1000 pages more of examples of fundies trying to take women’s rights away and treat them like less than people.
Also note that the above article does not pertain to the everyday xtian of which I am sure you are one of.
“According to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), when God called forth his people out of slavery in Egypt and back to the land of their forefathers, he directed them to kill all the Canaanite clans who were living in the land (Deut. 7.1-2; 20.16-18). The destruction was to be complete: every man, woman, and child was to be killed. The book of Joshua tells the story of Israel’s carrying out God’s command in city after city throughout Canaan.”
Lance
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
To answer a couple of your questions:
1. No, I don’t believe birth control should be outlawed…in fact, it works very good when used right!
2. No, I don’t believe a women should be arrested for having a miscarriage. If you want that stuff, listen to the Pope (I don’t and wouldn’t recommend anyone else doing so either).
3. How has government turned away from religion? Well, are the 10 Commandments allowed to be posted on government buildings? Why not. Your statement that ‘no religion was in government when it started’ is false. With the exception of Ben Franklin, all the big boys (Washington, Jefferson, Adams, etc, etc.) ALL had roots and beliefs that included the Bible and made quotes concerning that fact multiple times. You must be reading revisionist history books. Ha.
Your quote of Deut 7 and 20 doesn’t disprove anything I said. And, you left out the animals – there were times God wanted them to kill the animals and such too. Get it right will ya!
About not being an ‘everyday’ Christian: nope, you’re right! All that means is I actually believe the Bible is true and can back it up. See Revelation 3 for a description of the ‘everyday Christian’ (the Laodician).
There are lots of ‘fundie’ groups – and not one in 10 of them teach the Bible right.
In the end, the ultimate question for the individual human being is this: what happens to me when I die? I have a book that tells me what happens. You don’t agree – no problem! Are you an evolutionist who believes we came from inorganic matter and essentially just die and that’s it? Prove it.
The proof is only as good as the source of information it is derived from…and, once again, the Bible stands on its own as the final authority.
Keep searching,
L.
Shiva (Moderator)
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
#1 and 2 refer to the question of needing protection from the fundamentalists. And that is 2 examples out of a great many
The 10 commandments being posted in buildings has nothing to do with the government turning away from religion as the religion does not require the commandments to be posted. And you might read about all the men at the constitutional convention before you make statements like that. No religion was in the constitution nor is it now. Jefferson didn’t think too much of the bible as I am sure you are aware. With that said, even if they were xtians, that does not mean any of it is in the constitution. There was no religion is the beginning of our government, nor any religious commands to the government
“In the United States, Enlightenment philosophy (which itself was heavily inspired by deist ideals) played a major role in creating the principle of religious freedom, expressed in Thomas Jefferson’s letters, and the principle of religious freedom expressed in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. American Founding Fathers, or Framers of the Constitution, who were especially noted for being influenced by such philosophy include Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Cornelius Harnett, Gouverneur Morris, and Hugh Williamson. Their political speeches show distinct deistic influence.
Other notable Founding Fathers may have been more directly deist. These include James Madison, possibly Alexander Hamilton, Ethan Allen,[44] and Thomas Paine (who published The Age of Reason, a treatise that helped to popularize deism throughout the USA and Europe).”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dei...
they were for the most part decidedly not that much of a christian group.
God did command the Israelite’s to kill, and kill wantonly.
My note about you being an everyday xtian means that I didn’t consider you a fundamentalist. You just proved you are not one which is fine with me
Its fine you consider the bible a final authority. On what I am not sure. I consider the 10 commandments very important, but after that the bible has been shown to be a collection of stories more than anything. The Israelis were never in bondage in Egypt for example. Have you read the other 108 commandments they don’t tell you about?
SinghX
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
“…in the end, the ultimate question for the individual human being is this: what happens to me when I die? I have a book that tells me what happens…”
I love “certainty” when it’s connected to a sky-god that no one can prove exist except via a mythical belief based on how the planets move around the sky.
“…Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant.”
– H L Mencken, Minority Report (1956).
Brown cow
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Interesting post Lance. I did as you did and spent several years studying the bible, the various conclusions that biblical scholars had made and the biblical apologists writings. Then I studied history from that era. And finally studied what non-believing scholars thought and their reasons for not believing. I came to the exact opposite view that you did. I cannot be forced to believe something that I don’t.
Lance
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I understand…for me, I had been interested in all kinds of stuff looking for the answers (Indian Mysticism, Chakra Healing, Zen, etc, etc, etc) and finally settled on the Bible for many reasons, one of them being the honesty of the approach to what man is really like. That book basically tells you from Genesis to Revelation that you (and I) are no good. It’s not just a matter of following some Laws and spiritual rules, but it reveals the true heart of man – that wickedness starts and resides in the heart of mankind. Thus, the need to be ‘born again’.
There were many other reasons, but that one (along with prophecy) was one of the main ones.
Also, I couldn’t find any reason NOT to believe the historical accounts about Jesus. Essentially, you have to ask and answer a couple basic questions:
1. Did Jesus truly exist?
2. If so, was he crucified according to the scripture?
3. And, most importantly, was He resurrected on the third day after the crucifixion according to the scriptures?
Either He did or didn’t. No middle ground. If he did…then you have to deal with that fact.
Anyhow, thanks for reading!
L.
Brown cow
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 10:38 am
Up to the present, I have heard of nothing that has proven that Jesus did exist. Unlike you, I don’t believe that anyone is born with a wicked heart. I’ve certainly seen both self-described christians and non-christians both show wickedness through their actions and words.
Rich
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 1:33 am
You know the Bible is the best toilet paper on the planet and jesus was so full of shit they killed the murderous prick in a diaper!!!!!! You have to believe this shit for it to frighten you!!!!!!!!!
Stig
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Talk about naive, but what else can you expect from someone who believes, but not knowing exactly why; had to shop around to make your choice, did ya?. Yes you can go on saying that god and Jesus are love, and that to live forever in heaven is a desirable goal, but in the end there is only one reason to be a believer in the great responsible; power and not just over oneself and others, but ironically, the very god you pray to. Remember, its only a theology.
Ken Fitzer
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
If one is a Bible-believing Fundamentalist, they should know that God can deal out his punishments for disobedience directly as is so clearly demonstrated in the Old Testament with pillars of flame, the closing of parted seas and levelling of entire cities. He does not require legislation to permit men to act as the Hand of God on Earth. So, Fundies, leave the Will of God to God and go on about your business. Thank you and have a nice day.
Lance
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 11:01 am
You are half right – which, of course, means you are wrong (haha…don’t get all mad, it happens from time to time). God ‘can’ deal out punishment, etc., in any way He wants. But, He chooses to use human beings to carry out His plan. Why? Well, it’s partially obvious and partially not obvious. The obvious part is that God uses men to carry out certain tasks so that they can have fellowship with Him and a chance to serve.
The not obvious part might be a little too heavy for most folks to take…it revolves around a basic doctrine called the Sovereignty of God. That essentially means that we can’t always understand why God does things (at least not yet) because we don’t think like Him. God is Holy – we aren’t. But, he is gracious enough to give us a book that tells us about Him so we can have a basic understanding that will be completed in the next life. See I Corinthians 13:9-12 for the exact reference (King James Version).
But, I know this will probably go right in one ear and out the other so I’m gonna go eat a couple Eggo Waffles and get to the gym!
Happy Saturday,
Lance
Shawn
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
All fundamentalists are the same, regardless of their religion. Don’t blame their attitude on christianity or the bible. They would behave the same way regardless of what religion they were raised in.
Elizabeth
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
That is true. The same understandings are important when dealing with the fundamentalists of all stripes.
Dan Skinner
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
There are plenty of asylums for these folks. Just tell them its the house that God gave them.
Rimsh0t
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
It is outside the realm of their preconceived notions. In other words a type of prejudice in a frame of mind that makes me question the sanity of the people who think this way. Logic just gets in the way and they resort to bullying to stop it, by name calling to demonize the individual even to the point to drowning out you voice just like a schoolyard Bully. I pray to God that our society can find a way root out these disease individuals and cure them.
SinghX
Nov. 1st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Wasn’t there some passages in the bible that stated if you had a disease of the body or mind, you had to stay far from the city limits so you could not co-mingle (within a large groups of people) and warn those on the road entering the “city” with to stay away from those who were “sickly”?
I bet it’s in Leviticus…so, why don’t we just do something “biblical” for these fundamentalist “lepers” and find a way to round up them up and put them on their own island until they are extinct.
There is no cure for this mental addiction based upon breaking down others individuals free will and “converting” them to think that bad behavior based upon a “belief” is perfectly normal, makes them superior and above the law. This is fraud, a gateway to more crimes against humanity and soul-murder of the innocent.
We need an island like the one in that 60′s British drama, “The Prisoner” where these fundamentalist are periodically question as to who is behind their money, where does it come from, where does it go?
(I know we have Gitmo, but I was trying to be humane in their treatment and interrogation so we can learn how to prevent them from infecting society further and in the future…)
Tom
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
To think it took a bunch of Christians to finally interest me in firearms.
SinghX
Oct. 28th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
The phenomena of “theory of the mind” is a great premise to build upon as a theory as to why particular religious fundamentalist (evangelicals in this case) act the way they do. I have another perspective to offer to the dialogue; but first, a couple queries:
Suppose “A” listened to a speech by a racist who convinces “A” that the Holocaust was a biomedical vision of the Nazis and therefore, justifies their ideology of racism. Suppose “A” believes what was said and decides to to make a commitment to the racist belief system (not the Nazis for heaven sake!) supported by said ideology.
Along comes “B” who says to “A” that they can prove to “A” that the statements made in the speech were untrue, lies. What happens if “A” decides that the factual information presented, in that the speech was founded on lies was untrue, doesn’t mean a thing to because “A” believe the racist speech lock, stock and barrel.
Why is it that “A” responded to the contrary evidence that confirms their non-reality, by resisting the truth? Could it be that “A” wants to share ANY system of belief, regardless of the truth and evidence at hand? Or, are people like “A” easily persuaded, deceived, or pressured by manipulators because it’s easier to make a connection with this kind of belief than to think, find the truth on their own? Or is it because “A” want to belong and “share” with others of like-mind followers of racist ideology? Common sense says it’s one of the three, unless “A” is mentally incapable of decision-making due to a horrible regressive childhood (point made by indoctrination from birth).
But, what the author is discussing is a step beyond my simplistic example;
the author is talking about the “process” of conversion as an conduit for an internal/external belief system. Conversion is an “engineered” fervor-driven state of mind used to persuade individuals (ha! scare the crap out of them!) by peer pressure; they either conform or reap the wrath of other “racist”. Once the “conversion” is complete, “A” is warned to stay away from “B” and remain isolated in the belief system via other “racist”…all “racist” must then support one another on every level, and, find more like minds to convert to the faith in order to keep the biomedical vision “strong”. Conversion is a method used to breaks down the individual into a state of mind whereas reality can be eliminated by the whim of their “Shepherd”…
I do not cast doubts on Rmuses’ Neo-Inquisition model, but, I propose an alternate…that of a Jonestown massive “rapture” model. I sense that these “christian prophets” who are driving the Dominion “vision” are becoming so extreme, so virulent that they are literally begging for violent physical pain and martyrdom. There will come a day that followers will eventually be asked to make an “ultimate” sacrifice to show their faith. They will have no way to escape because they have been taught that “non-believers” will do worse things to them if they leave the fold.
Look at Jones, Applegate, Koresh; none of them would have found a single “convert” had they told people up-front that some form of human death must happen in order to bring about planetary changes…
Jim Faubel
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Jesus reportedly said that his kingdom was “not of this world”. Never mind. Those who seek power for power’s sake will conveniently ignore any scripture that doesn’t support their views.
Brown cow
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
It seems that if god wanted us to understand him, he would have had his writers write his words in such a way that there not be hundreds of different interpretations. Simple and straight forward would be nice.
Shiva (Moderator)
Oct. 29th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
you mean like the way he wrote the Constitution? Cough cough