Fundamentalists stand more than ready to give an answer to every man.This answer, however, is less inclined to be a witness of the the “hope that lies in them” and more likely to be a series of carefully-crafted, spiritual-sounding but completely-inane phrases.
It goes something like this…
“Frank, I’m so depressed today. I just feel like life isn’t worth living…”
“Well, Jim, rejoice in the Lord, always!”
“I just don’t think I can. I’ve been through a lot recently…”
“Jim, you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you!”
“That’s true but I’m really hurting right now…”
“All things work together for good, Jim!”
“I just don’t see how that’s helping right this second…”
“You just need to let go and let God!”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means that God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called!”
“What on earth are you talking about, Frank?”
“Jim, God never moves without purpose or plan…”
“I’m telling you I’m in pain and you’re seriously quoting me Ron Hamilton song lyrics right now?”
“God gives wings as Eagles? Squash the wiggle worm? He’s still a workin’ on me?”
“Goodbye, Frank.”
I was raised a Fundy. I had a serious psychologically traumatic incident occur in my life involving sexual abuse. As a result I was suicidal. In tears, I broke down and opened up to a Fundy. I got this verse, I Cor. 10:13, “There is no temptation taken you except such as is common to man…” She had other things to do that day and excused herself with the words, “There is nothing new under the sun.” That was 25 years ago now and I still don’t understand what that verse had to do with anything. If I hadn’t thought it was wrong, I would have killed myself. After all these years I am finally feeling like I can cope with what happened.
I’m so sorry the Christian you reached out to ran away from you and hid her cold-heartedness by throwing a Bible verse at you. Our churches are training people who memorize a lot of verses, who can argue with you about the superiority of the KJV, and who keep long lists of man-made rules, but who have NO IDEA how to reach out to a person in pain. This is not a reflection of Christ.
I like your name: set free!
PW – How true, you mentioned something similar to this awhile ago, and it really struck home with me. The IFB’s are great about learning and memorizing scripture, but boy don’t they miss the boat when it comes to applying those same scriptures!
There is a song and I can’t remember all the words, but is says something like “I’d rather see a sermon, than to hear one, anyday”
That just makes me think of my wonderful, loving grandmother, she lived her faith, and I can’t wait to see her again one day.
SO many ungodly things have happened to people in God’s name. Rick Warren is know to have said, “There are only 2 reasons why people aren’t Christians. They either have never met one, or they have.” If you ever want to talk, I’m here.
Karl4Christ@yahoo.com
I have a personal relationship with a deity other than Jesus, am not interested in going to Christian heaven, and do not wish to become a Christian.
The answers that fundamentalists give are not from a well formed epistemology. They are simply canned answers. I just did a blog posting on the art of asking questions(link posted below). It would be fun to return one of these questions back at a fundamentalist answer next time you or I get one of these canned answers. Thanks for the posting!
http://www.pastormattrichard.com/2011/02/look-smarter-than-90-of-people-around.html
I think it is a bit unfair to attribute this to fundies only. I think most people don’t know what to say with someone who says “I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer.”
I don’t think compassion and empathy can be taught; some people are natural comforters.
The problem that some Christians (including fundamentalists) have is that they feel as if they are “supposed” to be comforting, so they quote some Scripture. I suspect that they don’t mean to be glib, but don’t really know what else to do.
Agreed. It’s sad that so many Christians go the way of Job’s friends, or quoting cliches. They think they’re helping someone, but the most helpful thing is to just *be* a friend to whoever’s hurting.
*Beating head against the wall* UGH. None of this is helped by the fact that those with “counseling degrees” from FundyU seem rather ill-equipped to provide helpful and comforting comments to those who may seek their counsel.