Renier
Posts: 276
Joined: Jan. 2006
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STJ, I agree. But think about it. The help they seek will be at a Christian pshycologist. It might help though...
I remember helping a fundie that developed Pshycosis. He used to hear voices (God's voices) and thought every little thing that happened was an omen that he was going to die (too much seretonin?). The poor bloke REALLY suffered. Panick attacks on a daily basis. In all of this madness there was always the religion that played a big role. Then, some fundies tried to help him and tried to cast out the demons. It all damaged the person even more. Remember, in all this, it was reality for him, ie, it was really happening.
He agreed to go to a Christian Pshycologist. The Pshycologist told him that the voices he hears is not God and that God does not cause such torment (I know, I know). It's just really hard to understand the way these people think. It's hard to even relate to how they think.
Anyway, the person is still a fundie, but the pshycosis is a lot better and he is able to function in a more "normal" way.
Bottom line, they don't trust any "non-fundies" really. Afdave does not trust us to be truthful to him. He would be more than happy to trust old Pat though...
The Bible is very outspoken about that "way of the world". In Afdave's eyes, we are agents of this "way of the world".
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
This is how Afdave views us.
And this
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
See STJ, if they were allowed to doubt, they would be allowed to examine themselves and their own beliefs. But, these actions are not encourage and is seen as "bad". So, how do you go about to help someone that is not allowed to doubt anything that he believes?
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (6:15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
One more thing. They look down on liberal Christians because they see them as being "luke-warm" and thus not true Christians. For them, to be extreme and fanatical is the only way to stay on the "warm" side. This form of Christianity does not encourage critical thinking but views it as a weakness.
The question in the end is, how do you help someone who has been brainwashed to the extreme, week after week, year after year? How many fundies dropped their views in light of evidence? Geez, how many of them understand the meaning of evidence? Just look at the stuff that pops up over at UD. The sad thing is, they are all so convinced they are right
I think over at Infidels.org it was an article of Dawkins that described religion as a viral meme. Think it was called "Virus of the mind" or something. Perhaps there is something that makes certain people more "open" to recieve this meme (fundie version)? So, how do you fight such a virus? One thing, make sure kids in school don't get taught this nonsense as truth...
That's why I really laugh when the fundies are on about being fair and being allowed to give their version of evolution in science class. It's not about science, and never has been. They just want to be allowed to indoctrinate kids. Of course, they think this is a good thing. They really think they will be doing everyone a favour by saving souls.
And this, is the very reason Afdave is here.
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