Posted on 04/03/2021 4:19:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
If you read my column last month, titled “Fundamentalist Christianity And Fundamentalist Wokeism Are Two Sides Of The Same Coin,” and took a gander at the comments, you might know that I managed to touch a nerve with more than a few folks I’m guessing might possibly be of the fundamentalist Christian persuasion, or somewhere thereabouts. I think feedback is important and I always appreciate it when people make comments on my columns, good or bad. Though there’s not always time to read them all, I do try to make extra effort when something is more controversial than normal. This one? To say it was “more controversial than normal” is a gross understatement, apparently. I mean wow, those comments - most of which were negative - were like a train wreck that’s impossible to look away from. Just bruuutal!
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got alligator skin. It’s not that I have a problem with people disagreeing with me and even passionately hating every word I write. As is doubtless the case with most conservative writers here at Townhall and elsewhere, liberal tears fuel me. However, looking at comments helps me make sure I’m doing two fundamental things with what I put out there. First, if I’ve written something inaccurate or interpreted something incorrectly, I want to know about it as soon as possible and get it fixed. Nobody’s perfect, especially me! Second, I want to know that people are, by and large, interpreting my words in the way I’m trying to make them come across. Anyone who has written regularly for any sort of publication will agree that words aren’t quite as easy to come by as they may seem to the average reader, and I’m certainly not immune to communicating badly.
On the communication front, sadly, I seem to have dropped the ball on this one. I’m not big on apologies in general for obvious reasons, but I will say this: If you read that column and felt like I was personally attacking Christians of any theological persuasion, I’m truly sorry. I consider myself a Christian, and many if not most of the dearest people in my life are Christians, some even still self-identified fundamentalist ones (though some commenters are right when they say the brand I grew up in is almost nonexistent now in America). I meant for the focus to be on legalism itself, from both sides, not Christians who feel convicted to voluntarily subject themselves to aspects of it. I do, however, stand by my general point, which is that I believe it’s ultimately counterproductive for any ideology to insist that people abide by absurd, legalistic dictates.
As several commenters pointed out, one key difference between fundamentalist legalistic Christians and fundamentalist legalistic wokes is the fact that the wokes insist that EVERYONE obey their stupid rules and will seek to somehow punish those who do not. While some Christians certainly make moral judgments on people who don’t choose to believe or live as they do, they generally aren’t out there trying to force their conscience on others by imposing ‘punishments’ like job loss and social ostracization. In that sense as in many others, wokism, while it pretends to be based on goodness and decency, is evil to the core. I thought I had made this clear, but I could have done a better job.
There’s also another key difference. Other than the what I and probably most people would consider dumb rules some sects of Christianity have (these will differ depending on which you’re dealing with, obviously), the overarching teachings of the Christian faith, if practiced, will make anyone a better person. This is classic love vs hate, good vs evil type stuff, and regardless of your faith or theology within that faith, it’s hard to argue against the fact that generally avoiding debauchery will mean a higher overall quality of life. The Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ are universal principles that made the Western world the beacon of civilization it became, but I still maintain that the sort of man-made rules I mocked last week have zero bearing on whether someone is right with God or even a ‘good’ Christian.
On the other hand, while wokism pretends to have pure goals at its core, like an unrealizable utopia and never EVER offending ANYBODY who isn’t a white male heterosexual Christian, or something, not only are these goals patently UNpure, they are DIRECTLY tied to the twisted system of rules they’ve developed and continue to evolve and which MUST be followed or else their twisted ideology falls apart in light of the day-to-day realities of real people living real lives. That’s why the left is so hellbent on making EVERYONE follow their absurd dictates. If the world just stopped paying attention to them - Atlas Shrugged-style - life for everyone wouldn’t just go on, it would get better. And they can’t have that.
Indeed, rules that are burdensome and seemingly arbitrary, even when imposed in service of a higher purpose, can work against that stated purpose. The fundamentalist Christians of old, the ones I remember who railed against devil music and dance floors and didn’t go to Hollywood movies, have been in the process of dying out for decades expressly BECAUSE of those rules. I predict that wokism will die out too, eventually, as more and more people wise up to the fact that their rules exist not to make us better, but to control us and, most of all, to control our thoughts. The only question is how long their reign will last.
The Puritans may have been Fundamental. But not all Fundamentals are Puritans. The “Woke Left”, on the other hand, would make Torquemada feel appreciated by their sincere flattery. They dream of burnings in the public square.
If you read that column and felt like I was personally attacking Christians of any theological persuasion, I’m truly sorry.
Apologies which contain the word’if’ don’t really mean any thing. Such “apologies”are as stupid as the column, which in this case prompted it.
Comparing wokeisim to Christian fundamentalism is brain dead. The only comparison is that both groups are made up of people and subject to general human flaws. Christians have a written creed. Wokists make it up as they go along. Wokists are their own god.
Exactly!
I don’t even have to read the column to know this person ‘s argument is absolutely wrong.
All you have to look at is the personal character traits of the two groups toknow that one is fundamentally evil and one is not.
Add in the FACT THAT one group seeks their own selfish evil will while the other seeks the will of God and the discussion is over.
Even the stereotype East Texas hardshell Independent Fundamentalist Baptist looks like a laissez faire libertarian compared to a wokist.
With the hardshell Baptist, there is still forgiveness and salvation. With the wokist, there is none of that, only condemnation and destruction. One could then say that the wokist serves Satan, the accuser.
I consider myself a Christian...
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The writer of the article should be much more concerned about whether or not God considers him a Christian.
And I’m guessing if you have to ask that question, then you’re not a Christian and should take a good hard look at the Gospel of John.
I predict that wokism will die out too, eventually, as more and more people wise up …The only question is how long their reign will last.
____________________________
Dream on. Wokism is a tool, not a fad that will go away. It will accelerate. It is being taught to the children in school and thru the media. Brainwashing. The wonderful world (not perfect) we grew up in will never return, and that is the goal.
The writer does not distinguish between fundamental creed and fundamental culture.
Fundamental Christians believe in the essentials; the inerrant scripture, virgin birth, deity of Christ, salvation by grace.
Fundamental culture is a sub group of people who focus on lifestyle markers to distinguish themselves. Sadly they have become a dark cartoon with their antics.
Wokeism is a kind of fundamental culture, without grace, love, mercy, forgiveNess, the cross or heaven.
I didn’t see the interest in reading such a bizarre comparison but regardless of what you think of fundamentalists they don’t force it on the rest of society and prefer to be left alone. It’s called freedom of religion.
Precisely the phrase I focused on. Being a Christian is not the same as "I identify as "X" or "Y" as if it were today's moronic gender identification nonsense. This guy follows the general pattern that writers who criticize Christianity normally have absolutely no clue what they are talking about.
True Christians have accepted the FACT of their sinful human nature and acknowledge their critical need for the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The vast majority of us are not hand waving, charismatic wackos, but by the promise of God himself, we have had the Holy Spirit poured out on us and He lives within us guiding us on our journey through this lost and dying world. Praise God for pouring out on us His love and mercy on that long ago Resurrection morning.
Maybe, just maybe, some of these self-righteous, judgmental "journalists" will take the time and effort to study and understand what Christianity is all about.
Butttt, don't criticize me or my sensitive feelings will be hurt.
Today's pap writer gets his wrist slapped and writes another column whining about it.
Meh.
I appreciate your reply. Just two quick points. I became a Christian because of Charismatics (meaning they got me started reading the Bible) and they are my closest friends. I don’t agree with all of their biblical interpretations but I wouldn’t call them wackos. The one’s I know are also the strongest Christians.
And also praising with hands in the air is unquestionably in the Bible and practiced at every Christian(including Baptist) church I’ve been to. Here’s just one of many verses. Happy Easter.
1 Timothy 2:8
Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
"consider" myself a Christian?
You are either saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, or you are not.
Doesn't matter what you "identify" with....
I was raised the son of a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. I realize my comments drip with my background. I have a fundamentally different understanding of how the Spirit moves and guides a person through life. I understand that there may be times when the Spirit may manifest His presence in ways that are considered Charismatic, but honestly in my heart I don’t believe that is the way the Spirit moves people most of the time.
I believe one should always be consciously looking for the influence of God in your life. I believe that the work of the Holy Spirit is most often like the experience of Elijah in I Kings 19, when God manifests himself as a “still small voice”, or in some translations, a “gentle whisper”, although I certainly do not discount the account of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
I have been moved and “nudged” a number of times in my life to make choices that were inexplicable with respect to my knowledge, desires and experience. I guess because of my background and personal experience, I do not have confidence in the Charismatic worship model. But I also understand that the Charismatic/ Pentecostal approach appeals to many and I am grateful that Christ is “lifted up” in that way for those people to be drawn to Him. It has its place; it is just not for me.
Didn’t/won’t read this crap.
“I consider myself a Christian..”
Matthew 7:13-14 (The very words of Jesus)
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it”
“Many” who “consider” themselves Christians will find out that Jesus never knew them.
Only a “Few” will He acknowledge as true Christians, His sheep.
Luke 18:9-14 King James Version
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
I'm sure the Jews, being led into captivity in Egypt for ~210 years, felt the same.
Should we expect any less?
“Because of our sins we were exiled from our land,”
The woke will demand you submit to whatever the wokist flavor of the day is, or they will commit acts of violence right up to and including murder. In this way, the latter are much like muzzloids.
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