MattBeckwith

I was raised Catholic, so understand the basic Christian ideas and motivations.

But this Fundamentalist Christian idea that God should be worshipped, praised, glorified, etc. I don't get at all. In fact, it really turns me off.

If you're going to follow Christ's teachings, why not just be a good person? Why walk around like a zombie with a silly grin on your face saying things like, "I rejoice in your glory"?

Any theories why these people do this?

general_koffi

Proselytizing is how they plan to get more followers...

It isn't about their god. It's about power and influence.

Ronin

Plenty.

I also don't see much difference in the kneel, sit, stand pray types and the Fundamentalist Christian.

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Also, aren't "Christ's teachings" rather interpretive. I may start another thread to get some specifics on what Christians mean when they say that. They are definitely more liberal and democratic than the OT republican war god...with a powerful PR campaign, but still falls short of an achievable and natural humane ideal (imho).

:thumbs:

I mean the "Golden Rule" is great...but have you read alot of his other stuff?

MattBeckwith

I see two:

1. Fundamentalist Christians believe in salvation through faith. The rest of the Christians believe in salvation through works. This is a huge difference.

2. The Fundamentalist Christians are really big into this praise business.

I'm sure there are many other differences as well.

I notice that, when you quoted my post, you bolded my statement, "I was raised Catholic". Why did you do that?

Ronin

Well, as an atheist, the whole issue of "salvation" posited by both Fundamentalist Christians and Catholics is equally nonsensical.

So, I don't see much difference between all the hand wringing at the pews or the pulpits.

:huh:

Not so much.

Because I was drawing attention to the Catholic "Lord's Prayer" as an example of their own "I rejoice in your glory" and how the Christian God should be worshipped, praised, glorified, etc....even in the tradition of your upbringing.

In short, your OP is a "Beam/eye" kind of thing.

:thumbs:

MattBeckwith

That might make sense if I were a Catholic.

Splarnst

Catholics do worship God. It's called Mass. Outside of Mass, there's Adoration.

DBT

Giving praise the Lord is basically a form of brown nosing - an attempt to get into God's good grace through supplication.

'Lord please, if I praise you enough, will you see fit to offer me favour in this life?'
'Lord please, if I praise you enough, will you see fit to offer me eternal life when I die?'

Ronin

I was referencing that which would be most familiar to you, MattBeckwith, as claimed in your OP:

You then went on to indicate that you wanted theories as to why there was this Fundamentalist Christian idea that God should be worshipped, praised, glorified, etc.

You don't have to "still" be a Catholic at all to understand the "Beam/eye" thing.



Since you "were raised Catholic" you would have already been taught the theory as to why people walk around like zombies saying "I rejoice in your glory"?

Why else separate "Fundamentalist Christians" from Catholics in the first place?

As I pointed out, both groups behave that way...in fact, all denominations do.

MattBeckwith

So you were pointing out that this quality of praising God is not restricted to fundamentalist Christians. You could have done this without accusing me of being a hypocrite.