Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: cms@dragon.uucp Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Will the Real Fundamentalists Please Stand Up? Message-ID: Date: 18 Jul 90 09:02:17 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Computer Projects Unlimited Lines: 53 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu On the question of fundamentalism: Once, I received a phone call from a polling organization (I don't recall the name). The questioner asked me if I were a fundamentalist Christian. I gave an affirmative "yes, absolutely." As a Catholic, I have the basic attitude that Catholicism is truly fundamental Christianity. Hmm, let me put it this way: Catholicism is conservative; Protestant beliefs are liberal. This is an attitude, not a belief. At the time, I had no idea Fundamentalism referring to a particular sect or kind of Protestant. I vaguely recall being given a list of denominations; when Catholic wasn't among them, I became confused. I was told to pick the "closest" to my beliefs. Being Catholic, Fundamentalist seemed to hit it. I probably skewed the results of some national survey. Still, it was slanted making the assumption that no one was Catholic, or perhaps it was simply geared towards Protestants. It kind of reminded me of a Pepsi test I once took in Hendersonville, N.C. I tasted two cups, one Pepsi, one Coke. "This is Coke," I said. "This is Pepsi, yuck; I like Coke." Something like that. "Thank you," she said, and sent me on my way. My husband, who prefers Coke to Pepsi, happened to be thirsty: "This is Pepsi, it tastes better," he said, and was promptly given a free cup of cold Pepsi. I don't think the results of either survey were valid. I think it was a Roper survey, but I wouldn't swear to it. In my mind, Catholicism represents true Fundamentalism, whereas "fundamentalists," as they are called, represents a fringe group of Christianity. My husband, who is Protestant, told me he thinks the exact opposite is the opinion of most Americans. I say it's the opinion of most Protestants. Am I right? I'm curious how other Catholics (Roman, Anglican, or Orthodox) on the Net think about current usage of the term Fundamentalist. Answer 1, 2 or 3: 1. Catholic beliefs and practices represent true Fundamental Christianity. 2. Mainstream Protestant beliefs and practices represent true Fundamental Christianity. 3. "Fundamentalist" (so-called) beliefs and practices represent true Fundamental Christianity. This isn't a survey, per se, I'm just curious if you too are fed up with the term "fundamentalist." With the way it's used in application to Christians, God only knows what the media means by "Islamic Fundamentalists." As OFM notes, however, media attitude is often negative. -- Sincerely, Cindy Smith _///_ // SPAWN OF A JEWISH _///_ // _///_ // <`)= _<< CARPENTER _///_ //<`)= _<< <`)= _<< _///_ // \\\ \\ \\ _\\\_ <`)= _<< \\\ \\ \\\ \\ <`)= _<< >IXOYE=('> \\\ \\ \\\ \\_///_ // // /// _///_ // _///_ // emory!dragon!cms <`)= _<< _///_ // <`)= _<< <`)= _<< \\\ \\<`)= _<< \\\ \\ \\\ \\ GO AGAINST THE FLOW! \\\ \\ A Real Live Catholic in Georgia