Open-minded FUNDAMENTALISM! NOT possible?

[TakesTwoToTango]

I think it's about a line that's being crossed.

See, you summed up 2 thumbrules which are to you the fundaments of christianity: live a life your God would approve of and be kind to others. The line being crossed by the fundamentalists who are cursed is actually the lack of openmindedness, in the way that openmindedness holds a form of empathy. Say you like women and want to marry one, but a gay man likes men and wants to marry one.

[TakesTwoToTango]

The empathic vision on the situation would be: "Ok, this person honastly claims he prefers men. I don't understand it, but I can try comparing it with me liking women maybe... I wouldn't like people to prohibit me from being with the woman of my dreams, why would he have to be prohibited to be with the man of his?"; whereas the cursed fundamentalistic approach would be more like: "I like women, he does not. I don't understand this, but it's not as described in the bible so it's not allowed"

[Th0usandMaster]

fundamentalism

noun

1.a movement in American Protestantism that arose in the early part of the 20th century in reaction to modernism and that stresses the infallibility of the Bible not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record, holding as essential to Christian faith belief in such doctrines as the creation of the world, the virgin birth, physical resurrection, atonement by the sacrificial death of Christ, and the Second Coming.

[aikido7]

I get reminded of Jesus trying to talk to Nicodemus about being "born again."

Jesus gets a little frustrated with him because he starts acting like a fundamentalist literalist. Jesus doesn't think it's a good idea to take the born again experience literally and lets Nicodemus know in no uncertain terms.

If you are going to take the Bible literally and assert that Jesus is the Lamb of God then does that mean that Mary had a little lamb?

[theboombody]

There are problematic singularities in science and mathematics that remain mysterious enough to interrupt the smooth rationale of man's intuition, so it wouldn't surprise me that religion would have the same.

I love fundamentalism myself. Great video.

[Renaudclaing]

This video is wrong for the fact that yes, the religion you cary may have some good values in your life and they actually are, since good is good, jesus' message was in fact a very nice message of peace.

On the other hand believing in a certain god because some dude had some good values to offer you is in my opinion a bit wrong, I dont believe in god thus i dont discard the possibility he exists. Am I therefore bound to have no values? // Part 2 in other comment

[Renaudclaing]

No, it just lets me create my own values on what i base is right, right for me, and all the other person that I will affect during my life, any yeah, I dont have GOD to watch over me, but I have myself, my friends, my family, and that seems enough for me

[ambulansen]

Everyone hates the fundamentalist, even the fundamentalist.

[garethac81]

Fundamentalism is about more than simply adhering to core values. It is about condemning anyone who does not share those values. All fundamentalists, of any faith, practice this condemnation. This relates to the concept of fundamentalism which promotes adhering to core values you KNOW to be right (an absolute truth). Once you KNOW you are right, anyone who disagrees with these values MUST be wrong. This negates debating or learning from the ideas of others - which is why the word is negative.

[louiseiiid]

Hmmm. Nice brain you have.

I am fundamentally a fun-mentalist. I think everyone should be thinking of something funny all the time.

[talk74]

cheers!

fun-mentalism has its place too :)

[Zachski]

I applaud you for a wonderful video that made me think.

By your logic, then I, too, am a fundamentalist. There are certain principles I refuse to let go of, even though some people have pressured me to do so.

I think that I will stop using the word "fundamentalist" as a negative term. This video was really inspiring.

Thank you.

[Blade376]

I came back to this after some thought - really good video. Unfortunately with times evolving words which suggest origionally good things, such as fundamentalism (the values you auggest are truly good) come off as a negative. An extreme example I guess is the symbol of hope, that was used in the Nazi regime.Unfortunately it never seems to be able to be reversed. But in the true meaning of fundamentalism, it's important this is kept...

[Blade376]

Although I don't conform to any particular religion, I believe the majority of them offer good practices to living a good life - and if these fundamental practices are "right" (the point you made about openmindedness vs what is right and wrong was interesting) - then surely it's a good thing =] Not sure if I've made a coherent comment post it here haha. But another great video. Thanks for the response =]

[talk74]

thanks for the comments. on questions like this it is too easy to play semantics and i was trying to avoid that. it's obvious that in common usage 'fundamentalist' has a negative conotation. however, as you picked up, i think there is something to be explored around blending an open-minded attitude with core values that are held to be 'right'. if this 'right' really is 'good' then that can only be a positive thing. but that is a big question! what is good?

[talk74]

I think if we never have conversation with others from different view point we can develop a ghetto mindset. Open-mindedness stops us from becoming blinkered to the needs and perceptions and standpoints of others and enable healthy community.

[DanPostropheL]

Matt, I do struggle with the boundaries where core beliefs conflict with open mindedness, so I totally get what you are saying. I believe that the particular brand of fundamentalism that has placed a blight on both Christianity and Islam is that which lowers the value of the life of others who don't espouse the same fundamentals. "Believe or Die", a'la the crusades, for example, is a funny way of sharing the Love of God. Demeaning others, or treating them with contempt is less fatal, but...

[DanPostropheL]

gets the same results.

It amuses me when I encounter some on YouTube who argue that a reasonable person could never believe what the Bible says, and they proceed to explain to me why I'm unreasonable... I believe there's such a thing as "Fundamentalist Athiesm" as well! And it does no more to convince Christians to turn from Christ than the same attitude used to teach 'Christianity' does to turn others to Christ.

[DanPostropheL]

Open Mindedness implies an openness to conversation -- to understanding and to consderation. But it requires a respectful attitude on the part of all parties.

In my opinion.

Sorry if I don't ake sense. I should have been in bed hours ago, and I'm really tired...

Good vid, though. Bravely stated.

-dan'l

[talk74]

I suppose for me the key with open-mindedness is that is an openness to hear and discuss/consider new thoughts and ideas. It does not equate to an automatic acceptance of everything. I have a long(ish) sporting analogy i could use to explain myself but maybe that's for another video!

Thanks for your comments. Good to hear from you again :)

[CoDee2U]

I thought your post was brilliant. You didn't claim to have the absolute answer but put out some great points of thought. If a person wears the collar of a particular theology, that person should know the fundamental principles and be able to coherently communicate those beliefs to others, without condemnation.

[talk74]

thanks. i think you're right about religious leader knowing, and living, by the fundamentals. i suppose some of the issues we see today are where people can't agree on what is fundamental and what is peripheral.

[tinyblulites]

As you say, the use of the term "Christian or Moslem fundamentalism" has scared people away from Christian fundamentalist core principles and into a spiritualised or immoralised consummerised mindset. I'm not devoutely Christian, but I agree with you on this.

On the whole, I think most people still want to treat eachother with respect and to receive it back. The burning issue is maintaining a balance between rigidity of basic core beliefs and flexibility of openmindedness.

[talk74]

i think my point on the rigidity of my core beliefs was that if i seek to 'love God with everything i have and love my neighbour as myself' then that does not create an antagonistic foundation for my faith. in that way, rigidity need not be a bad thing.

[EnchantinFlower]

I live by my core beliefs to the very best of my ability, but I'm also very openminded about what others have to say as long as they are NOT preaching to me or trying to convert me. o(^-^)o

[talk74]

i guess you have a real struggle with tv commercials then!

[EnchantinFlower]

LOL.  I don't watch television very often, but when I do catch several minutes of it, I absolutely hate the commercials.

[richw4]

The difficulties are that we are indoctrinated from an early age into certain perspecives and belief systems and values and that when we grow older some people can become 'reluctant' to change. What you know is safe and ideas that threaten that have no meaning, it is easier to some to continue their own beliefs than be bothered to challenge them.

[talk74]

that's very true. a lot of people don't know why they believe what they do - whether it's their religious, political or ethical views. i know i've had to reassess what i grew up being taught to make sure it's not just an inherited set of values i follow without understanding but actually something that i believe works as a world view.