Fundamentalist Christians: Why Fundamentalism is Wrong

For Fundamentalist Christians, prooftexting is not only the method of interpreting the Bible, but also the means of asserting that others comply with with their belief. This leads to rigidity and intolerance toward those who do not share their opinions.

Prooftexting is a manner of using decontextualized statements-- that every word and sentence is to be taken literally, with no connection in terms of who the words were spoken to, or what the speaker initially intended. It is often referred to as "taking things out of context" to support one's stand. In quoting Scripture in this manner, the individual can then claim that he is "right-- because the Bible says..."

One of the most frequently quoted authors was Paul. In prooftexting, Fundamentalists conveniently dismiss the fact that Paul's commentaries were focused toward specific people, for the specific purpose of attempting to resolve the conflicts and upheaval which had been occurring in the early churches. Instead of acknowledging the contextual relevance of Paul's statements, they point to passages which, in claiming "the Bible says...," they use to promote their own religious and societal agendas.

For Fundamentalist Christians, one of the main factors is that of male domination. Citing Paul's words to the Corinthians as being proof that "the Bible says...," they insist that it is God Himself who has commanded that women "remain silent," "learn from their husbands," are not fit for the ministry or any other role of leadership, that they must take on a subservient role both at home and in the church, and be submissive to all "male authority." While it is a fair bet to assume that most women (and men) who are not Fundamentalist Christians find this to be not only absurd but extremely offensive, it goes even further when they claim that Paul has addressed all women, unmarried as well as married, as having no rights, no say, no power, for all males hold that position of "authority" over all women.

In addition to prooftexting, Fundamentalists rely heavily on concepts which not only are not supported in the Bible, but contradictory to it. The individual who refers to himself as a "saved and born-again Christian" does so with the Fundamentalist belief that being "saved" is a guaranteed passport to Heaven. He fully believes that in having been "saved," his actions thereafter are virtually irrelevant. The Bible does not support this belief; what it does say is "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24); and, even more to the point of one's actions being very relevant, as shown in John 8:11: And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. While most other Biblically-based religions are aware of the need to conform one's behavior and lifestyle to demonstrate the difference between previous transgressions and "a new heart and a new spirit," the Fundamentalist mentality is that being "saved" is enough. Equally offensive is their assertion that Jesus Christ did not die for everyone, as Romans 5:8 clarifies ("But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."), but that the sacrifice on the crucifix was only for the benefit of "some."

With the insistance that prooftexting supports their rigidity and intolerance of others, this belief casts aside one of the most basic teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught to "love thy neighbor"-- He did not say one's place is to determine which "neighbor" is deserving of such love.

Jesus Christ also said "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.," (John 8:7); this is elaborated on in Romans 2:1: Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

In speaking for themselves, and prooftexting Scripture to support their own erroneous standpoints, Fundamentalists continue to believe that their primary purpose on this earth is to convert others-- and it does not matter how unwilling "others" may be. This factor alone shows why Fundamentalist Christianity, as it is practiced today, is frequently considered to be a cult rather than a religion.