Can someone tell me what fundy-lite actually is?

[Avalondaughter]

Not all evangelicals are fundamentalists but I think that some fundie thinking is slowly leeching its way into more mainstream Christiainity. that is why it is so wonderful that the Christians on this site are willing to talk about their beliefs.

I agree that there is fundie "seepage" into more mainstream Christianity. Growing up I knew plenty of evagelical Christians who could reconcile science with the Bible. My Bible teachers were able to explain how Genesis and evolution could work together. ("God's time is not our time" was the most common explanation.") To me the belief in literal interpretation like that was the key to being called fundamentalist.

When I think of my friend who was born again in recent years and still wears her piercings, dresses the way she want to, and can't really speak out too much about homosexuality since she has gay friends from her wild days. She is still quite adamant that creationism is the answer. She won't let her kids read Harry Potter or celebrate Halloween, but is still an X Files junkie (maybe it's because in the X Files unexplained powers are generally evil where in Harry Potter, occult powers are seen as good?) I would wager that if she had her conversion 20 years ago, she might have been more lax in her beliefs.

[Kitty]

I know shit-tons of fundie-lites, considering I live in rural North Carolina. No frumpers and bloomers, but plenty of creationism, purity rings, etc. You don't really recognize fundie-lites until you move to a town where you have to choose them, the rednecks, or the tourons.

[Austin]

I say that I was raised in the fundie-lite tradition because:

-was taught that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and its writings are applicable to modern times

-Accepting Jesus as your personal savior is the only way to heaven

-Existence of a literal hell

-White Throne judgment/End Times/Pre-trib rapture escatology

-no dancing, limited movies

-lots of scripture memorization required for children

-sexuality not to be expressed outside of marriage, and then only of the heterosexual variety

-no alcohol

-generally YEC but not militant about it

But:

-we could wear makeup, pants, shorts, one-piece swimsuits, participate in "mixed bathing"

-many women in my church worked OTH

-gender roles were not blasted from the pulpit, although there was always at least a subtext regarding the "place of women"

-education was valued for men and women and women/girls participated in athletics

-no direct attempts by pastoral staff to control individual lives of members

-evangelism important, despite some calvinist overtones

-youth group valued and supported by the church

-age appropriate Sunday school

-not overtly socially/politically active

-not anti-science or anti-intellectual - lots of graduate degreed folks in my church

I agree that probably everyone's definition is a bit different. But when I say fundie-lite, I'm really just distinguishing my upbringing from that of a mainline Christian such as a Methodist or an ELCA Lutheran. Much of what I read about in the fundie/patriarchy world I haven't actually experienced, but often just a couple of steps to the more extreme than things I have experienced.

ETA: things I forgot

[Kitty]

I say that I was raised in the fundie-lite tradition because:

-was taught that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and its writings are applicable to modern times

-Accepting Jesus as your personal savior is the only way to heaven

-Existence of a literal hell

-White Throne judgment/End Times/Pre-trib rapture escatology

-no dancing, limited movies

-lots of scripture memorization required for children

-sexuality not to be expressed outside of marriage, and then only of the heterosexual variety

-no alcohol

-generally YEC but not militant about it

Dancing was allowed, though limited. Everything else though is accurate.

But:

-we could wear makeup, pants, shorts, one-piece swimsuits, participate in "mixed bathing"

-many women in my church worked OTH

-gender roles were not blasted from the pulpit, although there was always at least a subtext regarding the "place of women"

-education was valued for men and women and women/girls participated in athletics

-no direct attempts by pastoral staff to control individual lives of members

-evangelism important, despite some calvinist overtones

-youth group valued and supported by the church

-age appropriate Sunday school

-not overtly socially/politically active

-not anti-science or anti-intellectual - lots of graduate degreed folks in my church

I have to disagree with that one. I'd say not overtly anti-intellectual, rather quite limited. There was a bit of anti-intellectualism, but I think it's really depending on where I grew up. I grew up in North Carolina, but on the state line so I went to church in Virginia. I didn't notice a lot of it from the Virginians, but rather from fellow Tar Heels. Figures, since despite my high school being #7 in graduation rates in NC, a third of students drop out of high school, and not very many go to college. I find other fundie-lites to be rather anti-intellectual and quietly anti-science, but the degree to which they are depends on where they live, I think.

[Rosa]

But when I say fundie-lite, I'm really just distinguishing my upbringing from that of a mainline Christian such as a Methodist or an ELCA Lutheran. Much of what I read about in the fundie/patriarchy world I haven't actually experienced, but often just a couple of steps to the more extreme than things I have experienced.

I'm with Austin. And it's not labeling all Christians fundy-lite or fundie - the vast majority of Christians in this country are either mainline Protestant or middle-of-the-road Catholic.

[Austin]

I have to disagree with that one. I'd say not overtly anti-intellectual, rather quite limited. There was a bit of anti-intellectualism, but I think it's really depending on where I grew up. I grew up in North Carolina, but on the state line so I went to church in Virginia. I didn't notice a lot of it from the Virginians, but rather from fellow Tar Heels. Figures, since despite my high school being #7 in graduation rates in NC, a third of students drop out of high school, and not very many go to college. I find other fundie-lites to be rather anti-intellectual and quietly anti-science, but the degree to which they are depends on where they live, I think.

I don't know that a highly-educated congregation was the norm in my denomination, but we were close to Lehigh University and had a number of people who were professors there. Also, a number of graduates, mostly engineers. Our pastor was actually an engineer before he went to seminary, although he wasn't a Lehigh grad.

It always seemed to me that this had an effect on our particular congregation, which was a good thing!

Plus, I grew up in the 1970's and I didn't perceive society in general as anti-intellectual as I do now.

ETA: things I forgot

[GenerationCedarchip]

Dancing was allowed, though limited. Everything else though is accurate.

I have to disagree with that one. I'd say not overtly anti-intellectual, rather quite limited. There was a bit of anti-intellectualism, but I think it's really depending on where I grew up. I grew up in North Carolina, but on the state line so I went to church in Virginia. I didn't notice a lot of it from the Virginians, but rather from fellow Tar Heels. Figures, since despite my high school being #7 in graduation rates in NC, a third of students drop out of high school, and not very many go to college. I find other fundie-lites to be rather anti-intellectual and quietly anti-science, but the degree to which they are depends on where they live, I think.

I think this is very true. IN the DC area, you can find plenty of people in fundie-lite and downright fundie circles who are highly educated. Also, I've noticed that in the conservative reformed denominations (mostly various Presby branches like PCA, EPC, OPC), the congregation tends to be fundie-lite or even fundie, but there are a lot more educated people there than seems to be the norm in other fundie churches.

[Wolfie]

Honestly, I haven't but maybe I either overlooked the posts or ignored those threads. Could you give an example?

Most of the ones I can think of are on the old board, and I'm not sure if I could pull one out even if the search worked- what would I search for?

But I did see a similar one today- somebody commented that if a family had lots of kids they had to be at least fundie light.

[LilMissMetaphor]

I'm bumping this post because Valsa's post in the pet fundie thread made me realize she thinks fundie lite are just as bad as the original recipe fundies.

Personally, I always thought it meant "a more liberal fundie". Christian yes, Calvinist no. Makeup is cool. Jeans are cool. Worship songs on the overhead instead of hymnbooks. Jesus loves you, not hellfire and damnation. That kinda thing.

[yewchapel]

Calvinism is pretty mainstream theology though. I'm not a Calvinist, but the Church of Scotland (which is Presbyterian) is yet they are liberal. You can be a Calvinist and not fundie, definitely. Also, the most fundie churches I've come across have worship songs on powerpoint, but my super liberal church uses very traditional hymnbooks and has a full-on Sung Eucharist every Sunday. Modern does not equal liberal - look at Mark Driscoll's church.

I have to agree with Valsa - fundie-lites are fundies with modern lifestyles, but they are still fundies with dangerous beliefs.

[MysteryHaggis]

Calvinism is pretty mainstream theology though. I'm not a Calvinist, but the Church of Scotland (which is Presbyterian) is yet they are liberal.

Lapsed CofS choir girl here, basically this. Of course like any large church organisation, there is variation within the CofS- some congregations are far more traditionalist than others. For Calvinism verging towards the fundie, look at the Free Church of Scotland (The Wee Frees) or the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (The Wee Wee Frees). Some of the rules with these two are definite fundie- no using public transport on the Sabbath, use of older translations, shunning,etc.

Sorry for the tangent.

ETA: GAH, quote fail.

ETA2: my nexus likes offensive typos.

[Fundie Lite]

I think I'm probably fundie lite. I go to a mainstream evangelical church. I have a college education and have friends from all walks of life (including gay friends and a Socialist friend). I wear skirts/dresses only, I made sure my shirts are crew neck and my arms are covered to the elbow and my legs to the mid calf. I don't wear swimming suits. We go to a Bible study regularly and pray before all of our meals. When my baby is born, I plan to quit my job and be a stay at home mom. I don't plan on letting our kids watch much TV. Not sure about homeschooling yet. I believe in submission (but nothing as extreme as our dear friend Lori preaches).

[formergothardite]

I think I'm probably fundie lite. I go to a mainstream evangelical church. I have a college education and have friends from all walks of life (including gay friends and a Socialist friend). I wear skirts/dresses only, I made sure my shirts are crew neck and my arms are covered to the elbow and my legs to the mid calf. I don't wear swimming suits. We go to a Bible study regularly and pray before all of our meals. When my baby is born, I plan to quit my job and be a stay at home mom. I don't plan on letting our kids watch much TV. Not sure about homeschooling yet. I believe in submission (but nothing as extreme as our dear friend Lori preaches).

Do you mean submission in a sexy, only in the bedroom way? I sure hope so. Having a penis doesn't make someone automatically better at making decisions. So I hope you think about this whole submission thing before you have child. If you are raising your children to believe that women should submit to men, you are a fundie IMO.

[yewchapel]

I think I'm probably fundie lite. I go to a mainstream evangelical church. I have a college education and have friends from all walks of life (including gay friends and a Socialist friend). I wear skirts/dresses only, I made sure my shirts are crew neck and my arms are covered to the elbow and my legs to the mid calf. I don't wear swimming suits. We go to a Bible study regularly and pray before all of our meals. When my baby is born, I plan to quit my job and be a stay at home mom. I don't plan on letting our kids watch much TV. Not sure about homeschooling yet. I believe in submission (but nothing as extreme as our dear friend Lori preaches).

Is being a socialist really incompatible with your Christian viewpoint? Does your Christianity have an impact on your view of capitalism and individualism? Because if it is, that is very fundie. I mean, I'm a Christian socialist and the two are not incompatible at all.

[holierthanyou]

My general rule of thumb is mainstream pentecostal churches (and comparable beliefs) are "fundy lite".

[ILoveJellybeans]

My definition of fundie lite is that they are very religious and share some of the beliefs of fundies and put Jesus and God in every other sentence, but they also are a bit more worldly than fundies-they allow some things fundies dont like, and are allowed to wear pants.

[Fundie Lite]

Is being a socialist really incompatible with your Christian viewpoint? Does your Christianity have an impact on your view of capitalism and individualism? Because if it is, that is very fundie. I mean, I'm a Christian socialist and the two are not incompatible at all.

No, it's not.

[Fundie Lite]

Is being a socialist really incompatible with your Christian viewpoint? Does your Christianity have an impact on your view of capitalism and individualism? Because if it is, that is very fundie. I mean, I'm a Christian socialist and the two are not incompatible at all.

I didn't answer your second question. I'm not particularly interested in politics or economics, however my faith teaches me to give generously to those in need, make whatever you will of that.

[formergothardite]

So are you going to raise your kids to belive that having a penis means your better at making decisions so the person with no penis just needs to submit?

Do you believe people who don't dress like you are immodest?

[Fundie Lite]

Do you mean submission in a sexy, only in the bedroom way? I sure hope so. Having a penis doesn't make someone automatically better at making decisions. So I hope you think about this whole submission thing before you have child. If you are raising your children to believe that women should submit to men, you are a fundie IMO.

I don't think that men are automatically better decision makers than women. Most fundies tend to forget about Ephesians 5:21, which tells believers to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. It's not women submitting to men, but believers submitting to other believers.

[yewchapel]

I don't think that men are automatically better decision makers than women. Most fundies tend to forget about Ephesians 5:21, which tells believers to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. It's not women submitting to men, but believers submitting to other believers.

Then why are women told to submit to their husbands but not men told to submit to their wives?

[Fundie Lite]

So are you going to raise your kids to belive that having a penis means your better at making decisions so the person with no penis just needs to submit?

Do you believe people who don't dress like you are immodest?

No to the first question.

In general, no. I'm the only one in my circle of friends that dresses as conservatively as I do. I dress in a way that I feel is appropriate for me.

[Fundie Lite]

Then why are women told to submit to their husbands but not men told to submit to their wives?

Because people conveniently leave out the parts of the Bible that don't suit them.

[salsa]

I think I'm probably fundie lite. I go to a mainstream evangelical church. I have a college education and have friends from all walks of life (including gay friends and a Socialist friend). I wear skirts/dresses only, I made sure my shirts are crew neck and my arms are covered to the elbow and my legs to the mid calf. I don't wear swimming suits. We go to a Bible study regularly and pray before all of our meals. When my baby is born, I plan to quit my job and be a stay at home mom. I don't plan on letting our kids watch much TV. Not sure about homeschooling yet. I believe in submission (but nothing as extreme as our dear friend Lori preaches).

Welcome and good luck! :pray: :whistle:

[Fundie Lite]

Welcome and good luck! :pray: :whistle:

Thanks!:-)