The term [Fundamentalism] was born when conservative Protestants in early-20th-century America committed themselves to defend the five "fundamentals" of their faith -- the inerrancy of the Bible, virgin birth and deity of Jesus, doctrine of atonement, bodily resurrection of Jesus, and His imminent return.
Everyone always wants to lay blame somewhere other than in the hearts of men -- with their sin nature. But the reality is, man's heart is evil and he can take even truths from God, chop or twist them, and use them like the Devil. But just because you use it with evil intent doesn't mean the source is evil. The key is in the practicing of the truth and allowing it to change your heart. Some don't. They end up loving their sinful selves too much. But all who ignore and suppress the truth don't even have hope. Like the writer of this article.
The most recent case in point is Pope Benedict's "Apostolic Exhortation," issued last week. What begins as a contemplative appreciation of the Eucharist ends up as a manifesto designed to keep many Catholics from receiving Communion at Mass. The ticket to Communion is an uncritical acceptance of what the pope calls, in a striking echo, "fundamental values," which include defense of human life "from conception to natural death." The key declaration is that "these values are not negotiable."
And there we have this turn into a typical Boston Globe article.
The various fundamentalisms are all concerned with "fortifying borders," and that is a purpose of today's Vatican. The pope's exhortation concludes by referring to the Catholic people as the "flock" entrusted to bishops. Sheep stay inside the fence. But what happens when Catholics stop thinking of themselves as sheep?
Just another rant.
How did the Bible authorities get past the discovery of the New World?