The first mistake is surely to condescend to fundamentalism. We may disagree with it, but it has attracted millions of adherents for centuries, and for a good reason. It elevates and comforts. It provides a sense of meaning and direction to those lost in a disorienting world. The blind recourse to texts embraced as literal truth, the injunction to follow the commandments of God before anything else, the subjugation of reason and judgment and even conscience to the dictates of dogma: these can be exhilarating and transformative. They have led human beings to perform extraordinary acts of both good and evil. And they have an internal logic to them. If you believe that there is an eternal afterlife and that endless indescribable torture awaits those who disobey God’s law, then it requires no huge stretch of imagination to make sure that you not only conform to each diktat but that you also encourage and, if necessary, coerce others to do the same. The logic behind this is impeccable. Andrew Sullivan ☀
For decades now, many churches have been telling their youth that “God is Love” and “God loves everybody” and “Jesus loves the little children.” Guess what?! – they listened, accepted it, and ran with it. Interracial dating – no big deal – and that’s the way it should be. Same-sex couples – no big deal – and that’t the way it should be. Youth want to be engaged in a Church that is happening here and now – mission trips, Habitat for Humanity, homeless shelters. Who cares about heaven? We’ll leave that to God. – no big deal. Let’s work together now to make this a better world and a better life now for everybody – and that is a very big deal. You find this offensive? Guess what – we will leave you alone – you can have it your way. You don’t have to have a woman minister or a gay minister and you don’t have to perform same-sex marriages. If that brand of Christianity gives you a sense of joy and faithful fullfillment – we will happily leave you to it. In fact, we will affirm it, support it, and even defend and protect it. All we ask in return is the same choice and freedom and Christian consideration. We are moving forward. You are welcome to stay behind. The Future Fail Fallacy ☀
A GNT creation ©2007–2010


