Who is an ex-fundy?

[bean]

We sure are a diverse group.
Even though I didn't attend an "IFB" church it was super conservative and held many, many fundamentalist beliefs. I really feel like I was a fundamentalist. I agreed with all of the above and more at one point.

It's mostly self identification.

I didn't reject Christianity. I have grown in my faith and realized that I do not have it all figured out...and realized that what I was thought were "non-negotiable items" were indeed up for discussion.

There are days I really wonder. And I have to rest in the faith that God is taking care of me....

Great post. Thought provoking!

(07-10-2012 09:12 AM)pastors wife Wrote:  Although nearly all of us call ourselves ex-fundies, many of us have also been told that we are NOT ex-fundies but still fundamentalists. Sometimes the term is used because of our beliefs; sometimes it's because of associations we're in or books we enjoy reading; sometimes it's because of an attitude that says, "My way or the highway."

I tend to prefer to use the term "fundamentalist" in the way I grew up understanding it: a person who not only held to the fundamentals of the Christian faith but also to a list of certain behaviors as well as a connection to certain institutions be it BJU, PCC, HAC, Sword of the Lord, etc. Thus, if someone insists that anyone who doesn't think like he does is an idiot, they are not, in my opinion, being a fundamentalist, but rather demonstrating the same narrow-minded, unloving arrogance that bothered us when we saw it in our IFB churches. I might say then, not that they ARE a fundamentalist, but that their behavior shows that they've not changed their attitude just their beliefs.

On the other hand, while I've changed SOME of my beliefs, I still hold unswervingly to a conservative, traditional understanding of Christianity so I've been told that I'm still a fundamentalist even though I try daily to live in grace not self-righteousness, to focus on unity where I can instead of separation, and to be loving instead of judgmental and walk in liberty not extra-Biblical standards.

To me, you're an ex-fundamentalist if you reject the term, have rejected key issues dear to fundamentalists, and in turn, have been rejected by fundamentalists. Thus while IFB fundamentalists may look very similar, ex-fundies are very, very diverse.

[Grandma2012]

IMO-
The term "fundamentalist" defined as a person who hold to the fundamentals of the Christian faith is no longer viable (with regard to that definition).

It has be co-opted by the nutcases (Christian nutcases, Islamic nutcases, you-name-it nutcases).

This may be unfortunate, but it is a fact.

My definition of an ex-fundy: (quote PW)
"I try daily to live in grace not self-righteousness, to focus on unity where I can instead of separation, and to be loving instead of judgmental and walk in liberty not extra-Biblical standards. "

[Historian]

(07-11-2012 06:27 AM)Grandma2012 Wrote:  IMO-
The term "fundamentalist" defined as a person who hold to the fundamentals of the Christian faith is no longer viable (with regard to that definition).

It has be co-opted by the nutcases (Christian nutcases, Islamic nutcases, you-name-it nutcases).

This may be unfortunate, but it is a fact.

Good point. I've actually heard a few of the saner fundy leaders in recent years calling for them to drop the term "fundamentalist" for this very reason. But of course they were drowned out by the nutcases that want to die on the hill of keeping a title that doesn't mean what it used to mean, and which is extra-Biblical anyway.

[True Fundy]

I make it easy on myself. I reject all labels (almost all anyway). The only person I want to be identified as is a follower of Jesus Christ. He is the only One who I will give my unquestioned loyalty to. Nobody else died for my sins so nobody else will qualify. Not my pastor, not my church, and definitely not some movement that was probably flawed in some way to begin with. So I can say with all honesty I was never a fundamentalist to begin with. I believe the Bible teaches when a person is truly saved, he is born into God's kingdom, not the IFBM. Too bad many IFB people will never truly realize this.

[JeseC]

I'd agree that the definition of an ex-fundy should be "Someone who is able to question the supposed fundamentals of the faith and not look down on those who disagree." Normally this will involve separation but that is not always possible - I was a 20 year old with half of a college degree and no job skills to speak of, I had no intention of doing anything to get my support revoked.

[Lady Julian]

(07-11-2012 06:40 AM)Historian Wrote:  Good point. I've actually heard a few of the saner fundy leaders in recent years calling for them to drop the term "fundamentalist" for this very reason. But of course they were drowned out by the nutcases that want to die on the hill of keeping a title that doesn't mean what it used to mean, and which is extra-Biblical anyway.

I chose #5 as my option, with the caveat that simply not identifying as a fundamentalist does not mean that one is not, in fact, a fundamentalist. Bob Jones, though they never denied the label, spent a lot of time trying to make themselves out to be ordinary, happy (if slightly more conservative) Christians who were definitely not legalists.

Actually, I gave some thought to this question tonight. I know what exOBC and others are getting at when they say that one must be willing to question the fundamentals, and I agree that the attitude of spiritual independence and thinking for yourself is crucial. But I'm uncomfortable with an actual questioning of the fundamentals, because I know people who believe them and grew up with them, never questioning them, but are most definitely not fundamentalists.

Also, I noticed that many of our definitions dealt with fundamentalism as we personally experienced it, and as we personally left it behind. So, I would define the exit from fundamentalism in terms of leaving behind an attitude of legalism and rule-making for freedom, but this isn't the hallmark of every single persons's experience. I think that makes it impossible to say, "This kind of person is an ex-fundy, but this is not" and draw a line: The line is in a different place for every single person.

Earlier Christians used to see the belief as a journey, rather than a one-time event; their walk with God did not start at conversion but instead encompassed it in an ongoing process. I think we can see the journey out of fundamentalism the same way: There is not a "conversion moment" when someone suddenly ceases to become a fundamentalist, which makes it hard to pin down a definition. I think instead of looking for a moment, we need to look for a movement: a movement away from the attitudes and actions that characterize fundamentalism and towards a healthier experience of grace, love and freedom of thought.

EDIT to add: If I HAD to define ex-fundy, I'd say an ex-fundy is marked by a willingness to consider that she might be wrong (instead of the assumption that she is always right).

[Papa Bear]

I like it! As I've heard some Catholics say, "I have been saved, I am being saved, I shall be saved." Maybe we can say, "I left Fundamentalism, I am leaving Fundamentalism, I shall leave Fundamentalism," meaning that we leave it further and further behind, but admitting that, in some ways, it still affects our thinking, whether we are unconsciously still accepting parts of it or reacting against them. It would be silly to automatically disagree with everything fundamentalists believe, simply because they believe it, but once we see their errors, it takes time to sort out what we do believe.

(08-09-2012 10:26 PM)Lady Julian Wrote:  I chose #5 as my option, with the caveat that simply not identifying as a fundamentalist does not mean that one is not, in fact, a fundamentalist. Bob Jones, though they never denied the label, spent a lot of time trying to make themselves out to be ordinary, happy (if slightly more conservative) Christians who were definitely not legalists.

Actually, I gave some thought to this question tonight. I know what exOBC and others are getting at when they say that one must be willing to question the fundamentals, and I agree that the attitude of spiritual independence and thinking for yourself is crucial. But I'm uncomfortable with an actual questioning of the fundamentals, because I know people who believe them and grew up with them, never questioning them, but are most definitely not fundamentalists.

Also, I noticed that many of our definitions dealt with fundamentalism as we personally experienced it, and as we personally left it behind. So, I would define the exit from fundamentalism in terms of leaving behind an attitude of legalism and rule-making for freedom, but this isn't the hallmark of every single persons's experience. I think that makes it impossible to say, "This kind of person is an ex-fundy, but this is not" and draw a line: The line is in a different place for every single person.

Earlier Christians used to see the belief as a journey, rather than a one-time event; their walk with God did not start at conversion but instead encompassed it in an ongoing process. I think we can see the journey out of fundamentalism the same way: There is not a "conversion moment" when someone suddenly ceases to become a fundamentalist, which makes it hard to pin down a definition. I think instead of looking for a moment, we need to look for a movement: a movement away from the attitudes and actions that characterize fundamentalism and towards a healthier experience of grace, love and freedom of thought.

EDIT to add: If I HAD to define ex-fundy, I'd say an ex-fundy is marked by a willingness to consider that she might be wrong (instead of the assumption that she is always right).

[Ally]

Effectively our tremendous fanatical fundy-in-laws are one of the most rude, disrespectful and also big-headed persons I have ever had your catastrophe in order to meet.
alarm monitoring services

[DaisyDeadhead]

(07-10-2012 09:12 AM)pastors wife Wrote:  Although nearly all of us call ourselves ex-fundies, many of us have also been told that we are NOT ex-fundies but still fundamentalists. Sometimes the term is used because of our beliefs; sometimes it's because of associations we're in or books we enjoy reading; sometimes it's because of an attitude that says, "My way or the highway."

I tend to prefer to use the term "fundamentalist" in the way I grew up understanding it: a person who not only held to the fundamentals of the Christian faith but also to a list of certain behaviors as well as a connection to certain institutions be it BJU, PCC, HAC, Sword of the Lord, etc. Thus, if someone insists that anyone who doesn't think like he does is an idiot, they are not, in my opinion, being a fundamentalist, but rather demonstrating the same narrow-minded, unloving arrogance that bothered us when we saw it in our IFB churches. I might say then, not that they ARE a fundamentalist, but that their behavior shows that they've not changed their attitude just their beliefs.

On the other hand, while I've changed SOME of my beliefs, I still hold unswervingly to a conservative, traditional understanding of Christianity so I've been told that I'm still a fundamentalist even though I try daily to live in grace not self-righteousness, to focus on unity where I can instead of separation, and to be loving instead of judgmental and walk in liberty not extra-Biblical standards.

To me, you're an ex-fundamentalist if you reject the term, have rejected key issues dear to fundamentalists, and in turn, have been rejected by fundamentalists. Thus while IFB fundamentalists may look very similar, ex-fundies are very, very diverse.

If you feel you simply must "correct" people or voice your Christian opinions where they are not welcome and/or are not the topic of discussion, you are a regarded as a fundamentalist to most people.

Most people in the USA are Christians, and/or know what Christianity is, and do not need to be reminded of what it is or what it means.

Example--

Someone at work says, "I love Twilight" (or whatever pop culture thing is trendy/under discussion) or, "can't wait to party tonight at blahblah nightspot, there will be male strippers!" ...whatever. Fill in the blank.

Fundie sniffs, "I don't, since it's not Christian." --they might say UNChristian, or other terms. Same concept. (They may go on at some length or only briefly register their disapproval, but they seemingly MUST do this, they are COMPELLED to comment).

End of conversation, since if you were as good as they were, you'd obviously agree.

In any event, it dampens the other person's enthusiasm and is also a negative judgment.

It is this trait that marks them as fundamentalist, to others. (Its not IFB or whatever denomination you are, most people do not know the particulars of those things.)

Fundie is mocked and made fun of forever after behind their back, even by Christians: "don't tell so and so! Its not Christian!".. if the fundie someday makes a mistake and dares to admit they like some (unChristian) soap opera or pop song, God forbid, the other employees, who have been listening to these self-righteous remarks for awhile, will likely have them for dinner. The fundie is always confused and doesn't understand what they have done to make everyone so hostile to them. They erroneously assume its hostility to the Lord, not to their policing of the cultural tastes of everyone around them.

Etc.

I just witnessed this whole thing for the millionth time, so its fresh in my mind. I didn't say a word.