The fundamentalists are no more arrogant about this than the moderates. The only difference is that the fundamentalists make more of an attempt to follow their teachings. Moderates tend to inject a dose of reason and scepticism into their beliefs (to a point). Moderates will argue that the fundamentalists pervert the teachings, but then the fundamentalists believe the same thing about the moderates.

The fundamentalist ideas are ludicrous in the extreme, and there is no point trying to reason with people who are so out of touch with reality. The moderates however have shown some capacity to think for themselves. There is hope that one day they will find the courage to truly examine the nature of their religion (and religion in general). The inconsistencies, contradictions and blatant implausibility of all religions are written in black and white throughout the holy texts - just waiting there for those with the courage and willingness to apply dispassionate reason to set themselves free.

@Mike: Very insightful comment, although I believe you’re being generous by thinking that Sherri meant that. Possibly so, however. Not a bad blog you have too.

@Roach: I’ll have to disagree that mainline and liberal Christians keep quiet about the idiotic fundamentalists because they somehow agree with them deep down. As you said, critical thinking is hard; you may wish to work on that some more. Indeed, saying “Believing in Jesus is easy” shows very clearly how little you know about it. Regurgitating sound bites is what is easy.

@Dave: I’m not sure that lack of a forum is the real reason mainstream and liberal Christians don’t dispute fundamentalists with more vigor. I see the reason as more likely being a mixture of laziness and the old cliche “Never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and the pig likes it”. Arguing with any fundamentalist is very similar to arguing with some atheists. Not only does it disrupt your own peace, but they like it.

@Ember: There’s that too.

@Valerie: Agreed. Also, nice site you have. While I don’t agree with everything there (female modesty is sooo overrated *grin*), I don’t disagree with everything there either, and there’s a whole lot of goodness within your pages. Keep up the good work. BTW, if you see this…where did you get your banner pic? I find it strangely erotic. *cough*

@turtle and sanityman: Be careful, you apparently have just as much a need for education as Ms. Shepherd.

@Jerry: My agreement with your comment will come as no surprise.

Many thanks to all who have dropped by to comment. If you stick around, I’m sure we’ll find further things to agree, disagree, debate, or argue about!

To each his own, man. I’m sorry to hear that you think I’m foolish/delusional/without a fully functioning brain, but I don’t have a problem with you having your own opinion.

Happy Holidays!

Well put. Folks who play the Christian card during an introduction or shortly thereafter downright scare me. It’s kind of the same feeling I get when a perfect stranger wants to strike up a conversation with me about business and what I do for a living. I know that they’ll eventually tell me they own their own business and then make on offer to share with me what they do and how I can be a part of it. My approach to “witnessing”, is to befriend everyone I meet, treat them with the respect and love that I know Christ would, and make myself available to help them if the need arises. That can be extending an invitation to help someone move or listening to someone tell me about the hard times they’re going through without trying to offer unwanted counsel. I really really look forward to the “letting out of bad blood” in the American Christian Church. What I mean by that is for those who are going to make a commitment to make it, but those who are not to be honest enough with themselves to admit that. My best friends are not die-hard Christians. One is a stout atheist, but I love him, because he’s so honest it’s nothing short of refreshing. I would love to see church leadership just be honest about themselves. The people would follow suit. Instead we struggle to maintain the facade and it fools no one. We are no holier or better than the rest of society. That’s what I truly love about Christianity. It doesn’t demand perfection. It doesn’t demand performance.

For the people with fully functioning brains who realize the scam and are calling you christ followers on it, well, you are all just part of the flock (of fools).

I also like your point that one’s life should provide evidence of one’s belief in Jesus. It’s the whole “by their fruits you shall know them” idea. I note that of all the Christians I’ve known and met, the ones I’d consider to be the most morally upright ones never mentioned they were Christian … I had to ask. It’s to the point where I believe it’s a warning flag if someone I’ve just met announces that they’re Christian. If they were a true Christian, they wouldn’t have to tell me, I’d notice on my own just by watching their dealings. The shady ones always loudly proclaim it, and then use it to justify something that smells awful.