Comment

Comment by Nathan Phelps on September 25, 2009 at 11:58pm

Welcome indeed Robert. I'd love to hear some of your stories. I'll make a trip to your blog site.

Comment by Tom Harris on September 25, 2009 at 5:56pm

Welcome, Robert! Looking forward to hearing your stories.
I was heavily involved in fundamentalist Christianity in the 70's and early 80's, before abandoning all pretense of religion in the mid-80's. Thankfully, the fallout has been minor (mainly the loss of friends from that time I was in the church..)

Comment by Robert Madewell on September 25, 2009 at 4:52pm

I'm the son of a fundamentalist pastor. Throughout my childhood, I witnessed (and experienced) abuses to children and spouses that were motivated by religion.

I have identified as an atheist for only 3 years. I am still experiencing fallout from my deconversion and my inability to be quiet about it.

I am the author of the atheist/anti-theist blog Superstition Free.

I am interested in having discussions about the lingering effect that fundamentalism had on me and others. I am also anxious to share my stories.

Comment by mick keogh on September 10, 2009 at 11:46am

Fu--ing hell you bought th god delusion in Ireland

Comment by Fred Rock on July 18, 2009 at 6:45pm

Reading over older posts (April 23 from "HeIsSailing"). I was also raised in Pentecostalism. My faith began to dwindle as I was exposed to other religions beginning in the late 70's and the early 80's via martial arts, meditation, etc... At the time I knew that hard core X-tianity was bogus, but I couldn't seem to let go of the idea of a spiritual world altogether. In the 90's I spend a fair amount of time doing ritual with Wiccans and other Neo-Pagans. Finally in 1997 (after realizing that there was very little daylight between christianity and other religions - once you moved beyond the "bells and whistles") I gave religion up completely in 1997 while reading the God Delusion by Dawkins on a 10 hour flight home from Dublin to Seatlle. What a relief it was - despite having to deal with the whole emotional symptoms of what I'll call "spiritual PTSD"m

Comment by Fred Rock on July 13, 2009 at 10:58pm

I get real basic on the issue of fundmentalism: it's all about fundamentals that any one group accepts as the one and only infallible truth - to the point of coercing others, if the fundamenalists involved are allowed to, and/or allied with political power. I think Kristina captures the activities of x-tian fundamentalists well. Funny though how even they tend to cherry pick what the want to weigh the rest of us down with. A true biblical fundamentalist would advocate stoning to death adultresses and kids who talk back to their parents. Women wouldn't be allowed to talk in church if the new testament was followed to the letter. I could go on and on, but will desist in the interest of brevity. Suffice it to say that in my book they are fundamentally flawed in their thinking and world view.

Comment by Kristi Leitholt on July 13, 2009 at 7:24pm

To address Franklin's question, I can't speak for everyone else, but the kind of Christian fundamentalism I'm coming from involved rejecting the theory of evolution as an explanation of our origins; interpreting the Bible as God's literal Word, infallible and without error; preaching condemnation and repentance to non-believers and more liberal-thinking Christians; and rejecting media that was "tainted" by heretic non-believers (listening to only Christian music, etc.). And I grew up in a Lutheran church.

I think the definition of "fundamentalist" may be a little different for some people than others, but the fact remains the same: it is something traumatic to leave that all behind and free yourself of the brainwashing that came as part of it. Leaving fundamentalism can cost a person their relationships with friends and possibly family. I don't really think it matters too much what sort of "fundamentalism" someone is coming from because all of it has a basis in myths and lies that someone else has presented as absolute truth. That can cause emotional and mental problems down the road when someone leaves it in favor of rational thinking. So whatever kind of fundamental past you had, you're welcome here, because we're all recovering together!

Comment by Chris Highland on July 13, 2009 at 6:07pm

I recently invited my young nephew, who was homeschooled on the bible, to scan over my Natural Bible. He, like many young people, seem hungry for someone to ask questions with, to be open about doubts and learn to reason. Maybe we need no more "bibles" but I find it helpful to take John Muir's "Bible of Nature" to the next steps. Any comments?

Comment by Franklin Bacon on July 13, 2009 at 5:05pm

Although it's hard to tell exactly where the message will show up, I wish to address lacf.

I always wanted to meet others who may have had experiences similar to my own, but...

I suppose there are more than one single type of Fundamentalism. I can only imagine the myriad ways which various Fundamentalist groups may emphasize different portions of scripture. Each type of emphasis would lead to a different lifestyle in the particular group emphasizing a particular point.

So, when Christian Fundamentalism is mentioned as the topic of this forum, exactly what type are we talking about?

Comment by Robert Tobin on July 11, 2009 at 7:18pm

My religious education never included the bible. The Roman Catholic Church does not want its faithull reading the bible. The only Scriipture we had at Roman Catholic School was the New Testament. The Church does not like its faithfull finding out for themselves. They may read other approved religious books, lives of saints etc. but reading other books that might lead to embarrising questions is discouiraged. A little knowledge is dangerous. According to the Church no knowledge makes a good Catholic.

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