[jlisenbe]

Yet another unanswered question. Don't you find that to be a bit embarrassing?

For the record, I am not a fundamentalist. I don't claim allegiance to any group other than Christians. I find differences with all of them, and I don't like being pigeon-holed.

[Wondergirl]

Yet another unanswered question. Don't you find that to be a bit embarrassing?

For the record, I am not a fundamentalist. I don't claim allegiance to any group other than Christians. I find differences with all of them, and I don't like being pigeon-holed.

Right. A fundamentalist Christian. It's not a group; it's how one understands the Scriptures and interprets them.

[jlisenbe]

Wow. It's hard to know how to respond to something like this. I say, "I am not a fundamentalist." "Don't be judgmental." "I don't like being pigeon-holed."

Only to see as a response, "Right. A fundamentalist Christian." It's just unbelievable. I thought I was beyond being surprised, but I guess not. So I should, I suppose, congratulate you on yet another incredible (not credible) statement. It is, at least, a good laugh for the evening.

And no, it's not a put down. Just an honest expression of absolute amazement.

[Wondergirl]

Wow. It's hard to know how to respond to something like this.

Feel free to tell me what I am now that I'm no longer a Christian fundimentalist. :-)

[Wondergirl]

You mean like when you called me a "fundie"??? That kind of judging?

It's not a judgment at all. A judgment would be saying that's bad or good. I'm categorizing you, not judging you.

[Wondergirl]

Like my paternal grandpa used to say, "Call me anything you want; just don't call me late for dinner."

[jlisenbe]

A judgment would be saying that's bad or good

Wonderful. So calling someone an atheist is allowable now? Great!

To suggest you don't consider a fundamentalist to be bad is to get as close to lying as a person should ever get. In fact, I would even say...oh well. Forget it.

[Wondergirl]

Wonderful. So calling someone an atheist is allowable now? Great!

Nope. There's nothing wrong with calling someone an atheist unless you're calling the person that as a putdown. It's a category, like Catholic or Baptist or agnostic or Boy Scout. All of those can be used as putdowns, but they aren't in themselves, are just categories (classes or divisions of people that have shared characteristics). Call me a PK or a Mensan or a librarian. I won't be offended. If you add a pejorative adjective, then you're judging me.

To suggest you don't consider a fundamentalist to be bad is to get as close to lying as a person should ever get. In fact, I would even say...oh well. Forget it.

I've been there. There are fundamentalist Christians and fundamenalist Muslims. There are also progressive (liberal) ones.

[jlisenbe]

Nope. There's nothing wrong with calling someone an atheist unless you're calling the person that as a putdown.

Well great. So I can call you an atheist so long as it's not a putdown? Wonderful!! You've opened up a brave new world. And you, of course, will have no way of knowing my intention unless you claim to be able to look into a person's heart. And guess what that amounts to?

You have made my day. I never thought you'd agree to it, but here we are.

[Wondergirl]

Well great. So I can call you an atheist so long as it's not a putdown?

And then I will disagree with you, sit you down at my dining room table, serve you coffee or tea and an assortment of cookies, and tell you why I'm not an atheist.

[jlisenbe]

Won’t help. Remember…quack like a duck? And remember how I’ve told you repeatedly I am not a fundamentalist and you listen not at all?

What’s it like, being an atheist?

[Wondergirl]

Won’t help. Remember…quack like a duck? And remember how I’ve told you repeatedly I am not a fundamentalist and you listen not at all?

What’s it like, being an atheist?

What are you then? Where do you fit into the huge puzzle that is Christianity? (You want root beer schnapps instead of coffee or tea?)

[jlisenbe]

I’ve already told you. I’m a Christian.

[Wondergirl]

I’ve already told you. I’m a Christian.

You don't attend any church. Or choose a church of the week to go to.

Do you like very solemn services or energetic singing with arms raised and waving, altar calls, faith healing, speaking in tongues?

[jlisenbe]

I pastor the church at the rehab center.

I am happy in a variety of settings so long as there is a genuine love of Jesus, a high regard for the word of God, and a genuine faith.

I despise inconsistency in belief, dishonesty, and evasiveness by those afraid of having their beliefs explored by answering probing questions.

How about you?

You don't attend any church. Or choose a church of the week to go to.

Do you like very solemn services or energetic singing with arms raised and waving, altar calls, faith healing, speaking in tongues?

[Wondergirl]

I pastor the church at the rehab center.

You have a master's in theology?

I am happy in a variety of settings so long as there is a genuine love of Jesus, a high regard for the word of God, and a genuine faith. despise inconsistency in belief, dishonesty, and evasiveness by those afraid of having their beliefs explored by answering probing questions.

I know what you mean! (I'm still waiting on the beverage question. Maybe a glass of milk or a Black Russian? Maybe I could get you to giggle.)

How about you?

ELCA all the way.

You don't attend any church. Or choose a church of the week to go to.

I'm homebound, wheelchair bound. I go only to my hematologist every six months. Getting out to that and back home again is a journey rife with problems.

Do you like very solemn services or energetic singing with arms raised and waving, altar calls, faith healing, speaking in tongues?

I was born and raised LCMS, very solemn.

[jlisenbe]

I have two years of Bible College and 40 years of Bible reading and study. My Master's Degree is in school administration. My Bachelor's is in Animal Science.

I know what you mean!

I think you have no idea. I've never met anyone anymore reluctant to have his/her beliefs honestly examined than you are.

I'm homebound, wheelchair bound.

I'm aware of that. It's very unfortunate, but happily God can bless and use anyone willing to trust Him and be obedient.

[Wondergirl]

I'm aware of that. It's very unfortunate, but happily God can bless and use anyone willing to trust Him and be obedient.

He does, every day!

Obedient?

[jlisenbe]

Of course.

[Wondergirl]

Of course.

Please elaborate.