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Pope Benedict observed that about the Muslim fundamentalists when he said faith without reason is the doorway to fanaticism. Protestant fundamentalists have a lot in common with their anti-intellectual Muslim counterparts in the Taliban.

I’m making that statement having read about Islam extensively. Different book, same mentality.

Very true. About three years ago while I was still desperately trying to remain Lutheran, I read a good series of articles by a Fundi theologian who was warning that the anti-intellectual mindset growing among Fundies and Independents was going to lead to a repeat of the Joseph Smith era and spawn so many new variations on Protestantism that there would be no alternative to joining the Catholic or Orthodox Church. As you might guess, reading through several articles while looking for a reason not to be Catholic and then reading that conclusion in the final installment was a huge kick in the tender zone.

If I can figure out where I read those I'll pass the link along because as I recall the author was well respected in Fundamentalist circles. I think he was a Liberty University alumni or possibly even on the faculty there. At any rate, there is a very hard core anti-intellectual mindset in over half of those I've ever known who consider themselves to be Fundamentalist. That's why I'm not surprised to run into so many from that end of the spectrum who adopt the views of the Know Nothings from earlier in our history. So many of the Protestant and Protestant derived groups have thrown the baby out with the bath water that they can't differentiate themselves other than by making a large windmill to tilt with, so, they riffle through history looking for something that was successful in making a buck from the gullible in the past and start marketing the same thing all over again. If their marketing skills matched their repetition skills they'd call Cincinnati the Babylon spoken of in the Bible and write themselves a new book like Smith did instead of limiting themselves to the small market segment of gullible folks who still buy the lies about the Church Christ founded.

Hang in there, I really appreciate your posts here.

Regards & God Bless - you're in my prayers

I’m making that statement having read about Islam extensively.

.....A 42 year old large sailing ship captain (someone like Columbus, for example), gets provisions from the King and investors to explore for what lies at the other side of the ocean...

.... He wants to find "the truth" of what lies out there. ..... But keep in mind, he went through a long and arduous process (education) of going through the ranks before he reached this point in his life.

He is well respected by the King and investors, who both believe he has the skills and abilities to head into the uncertainty of the trip, and also to survive and return with the knowledge (and hopefully gold) of what's out there. (The Truth).

On his way out of the bay to begin his voyage, he passes a 42 year old amateur sailor with a small boat, cruising around the bay, going quickly from port to port.... This amateur sailor also wants to find out what's on the other side of the sea...... The problem is he does not have the sailing experience, abilities, financial backing, respect nor a sea worthy craft capable of the monumental venture.