Reply #112: Fundamentalism is an inherently dysfunctional system. [View All]

[RevCheesehead]

It focuses almost exclusively on the "persecutor/victim/rescuer" model, and it flounders around helplessly in times of peace.

Classic example: Jerry Falwell. The man cannot function as a pastor unless he has someone or something to hate. That is because his entire theological system is dysfunctional.

EVIL = persecutor (and it takes many forms)
WE = victims (of course, only those who agree with them are "true Christians")
GOD/JESUS = rescuer.

But there's no stopping the triangulation. The problem is that GOD (our "Father") expects US to rescue the WORLD from this EVIL. So the triangle continues....

My suggestion about "healing" was for emotional, rather than religious purposes (or for counseling/therapy, rather than any kind of spiritual rebirth). I'm a big supporter of "family-systems" therapy (it did wonders for me), and there are many qualified counselors who will respect your atheism and not try to heal or fix you spiritually, or force you back to Jesus.

I am glad that you got out of this hate-filled system. Let me just add that I am so sorry that you have gone through all of this. You are too valuable a person to have been treated so horribly; and the fact that it was done in the name of Jesus is very, very painful for me, because that is not the Jesus I know.

Again, peace to you, and thanks for the open conversation.