Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalist

Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalist PDF

Author: James C. Alexander

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2008-04-30

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1452042225

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It has been said that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. Drawing on this notion, Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalist: Understanding and Responding to Christian Absolutism recounts the author’s journey as a member of the fundamentalist subculture as a child and his life among the Jesus Freaks (Jesus Movement)-- a congregation of deserters from the hippie drug culture of the late 1960's and early 1970's. This movement, though of great importance in the culture of the times, now largely goes unrecognized--although the Jesus Movement provided the cover stories for many prominent secular magazines chronicling the youth culture of the late 60's and early 70's. While, not devoted to a history of the Jesus Movement, the book does a service in bringing a discussion of the Jesus Freak phenomenon to the attention of today's readers. The book goes on to recount the author's eventual abandonment of fundamentalism. As the story unfolds, critical research related to the psychology, sociology, and history of the subculture provides a framework for understanding Christian fundamentalism. Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalist recounts a gripping personal pilgrimage—at times both humorous and painful— that is rooted in honest reflection and informed by theory and research. It offers worthwhile reading for mainline Christians, curious evangelicals, recovering fundamentalists or anyone wanting to understand this timely topic.

Confessions of a Recovering Fundamentalist

Confessions of a Recovering Fundamentalist PDF

Author: Keith Ward

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2019-11-07

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 153269671X

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Can theology be expounded almost entirely in jokes? This is an attempt to do so. But it is also a record of how one person recovered from fundamentalism, and found a different, more positive spirituality within Christian faith. It seeks to speak to those who only know an exclusive and dogmatic version of Christianity, and who feel the need for something more universally compassionate and friendly to informed scientific thought. Ward argues that we need to escape from the image of a vindictive, wrathful, judgmental God, who saves just a few people from endless torture for no obvious reason. He proposes instead a view of the universe as evolving towards a goal, guided by a supreme cosmic consciousness, which manifests its nature in this historical process. Jesus is the human image of this consciousness, an image of universal self-giving love and a foreshadowing of the transformation of human lives by their union with the divine. The jokes are there because Christian faith should be really joyful, hopeful, and positive good news for everyone—that there is a spiritual basis and goal of the universe which wills everyone without exception to share in its unlimited wisdom and love.

Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalist

Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalist PDF

Author: James C. Alexander

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2008-04

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1434381323

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This book presents a sound and practical view of the missionary world. Dr. Price leads the reader through each step, from the first urgings we feel as God begins to speak to us, to understanding God's call on our lives, and finally the essentials of getting to the field. In this process, Dr. Price insists on maintaining a healthy relationship with the home church and its leadership. This book will strengthen you, as well as deepen and challenge you as you prepare for missionary service.

Addicted to Certainty: The Journey of a Twice Recovering Fundamentalist

Addicted to Certainty: The Journey of a Twice Recovering Fundamentalist PDF

Author: Howard C. Mackert

Publisher:

Published: 2019-10-30

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 9781733267946

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A divorced virgin at twenty-five. Howard Mackert gave up everything he had ever known to escape from an arranged marriage and Mormon fundamentalism, only to find he had gone out of the frying pan and into the fire--with unseen scars that would take years to heal. As one of 31 children in a polygamist family, Howard Mackert's childhood was far from ordinary. Here, he tells his story of growing up as a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints and part of a household with three (and later four) mothers. But Howard's story doesn't end with his departure from FLDS. After his escape, he unintentionally landed in yet another fundamentalist environment, fuelled by a compulsion to find concrete answers to life's eternal questions. It was only by discovering the unconditional acceptance and grace of God that Howard was able to forgive the past, live a life of love, and embrace the mystery of faith--without a fundamentalist addiction to certainty.

Leaving the Fold

Leaving the Fold PDF

Author: Marlene Winell

Publisher: Marlene Winell Ph.D.

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 9781933993232

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Have you been harmed by toxic religion? Learn how to recover and reclaim your life. Psychologist Marlene Winell is uniquely qualified to address the subject of this book. In addition to her personal experience with leaving fundamentalist religion, she has worked with clients recovering from religion for 28 years. She is known for coining the term Religious Trauma Syndrome. Leaving the Fold is a self-help book that examines the effects of authoritarian religion (fundamentalist Christianity in particular) on individuals who leave the faith. The concrete steps for healing are useful for anyone in recovery from toxic religion. In this book you'll discover: - what you can expect about stages of religious recovery - information about the key issues of recovery - relevant family dynamics - the power of manipulations - motivations for belonging and for leaving religion - specific steps for healing and reclaiming life - further steps for rebuilding life in the present Leaving the Fold is the only self-help psychology book on the subject of religious recovery. The accessible, compassionate writing is ideal for the reader who needs clear information and concrete help. Buy Leaving the Fold and begin your healing journey today

Fleeing Fundamentalism

Fleeing Fundamentalism PDF

Author: Carlene Cross

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Published: 2013-06-03

Total Pages: 291

ISBN-13: 1616202947

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At a time when the distance between church and state is narrowing and the teaching of intelligent design is being proposed for our classrooms, it is startling and provocative to hear the reasoned voice of a dissident from inside the church. For Carlene Cross, arriving at this shift in belief was a long and torturous journey. In Fleeing Fundamentalism, Cross looks back at the life that led her to marry a charismatic young man who appeared destined for greatness as a minister within the fundamentalist church. Their marriage, which began with great hope and promise, started to crumble when she realized that her husband had fallen victim to the same demons that had plagued his youth. When efforts to hold their family together failed, she left the church and the marriage, despite the condemnation of the congregation and the anger of many she had considered friends. Once outside, she realized that the secular world was not the seething cauldron of corruption and sin she had believed, and found herself questioning the underpinnings of the fundamentalist faith. Here is an eloquent and compelling story of faith lost and regained. Certain to be controversial, it is also a brave and hopeful plea for greater tolerance and understanding.

Leaving Fundamentalism

Leaving Fundamentalism PDF

Author: G. Elijah Dann

Publisher: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press

Published: 2008-05-26

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1554580838

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In a time when religious conservatives have placed their faith and values at the forefront of the so-called “culture wars,” this book is extremely relevant. The stories in Leaving Fundamentalism provide a personal and intimate look behind sermons, religious services, and church life, and promote an understanding of those who have been deeply involved in the conservative Christian church. These autobiographies come from within the congregations and homes of religious fundamentalists, where their highly idealized faith, in all its complexities and problems, meets the reality of everyday life. Told from the perspective of distance gained by leaving fundamentalism, each story gives the reader a snapshot of what it is like to go through the experiences, thoughts, feelings, passions, and pains that, for many of the writers, are still raw. Explaining how their lives might continue after fundamentalism, these writers offer a spiritual lifeline for others who may be questioning their faith. Foreword by Thomas Moore

I Fired God

I Fired God PDF

Author: Jocelyn Zichterman

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 2013-05-14

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1250026261

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A compelling memoir and investigation into the Independent Fundamental Baptist church and its shocking history of religious abuse. With written documentation and sources, Zichterman exposes the IFB with new revelations.

Slaves to Faith

Slaves to Faith PDF

Author: Calvin Mercer

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2009-04-30

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13:

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As Dr. Mercer posits, the fundamentalist is fundamentally driven by anxiety layered over a fragile sense of self-identity constructed upon a system of beliefs that is both logically inconsistent and highly suspect in light of modern science. As a result, the fundamentalist completely rejects modernity while battling mightily in the arena of national politics and culture to bring about a world that aligns more closely with the fundamentalist worldview. Focusing on Christian fundamentalists, the author puts Christian fundamentalism in its historical and theological contexts. At the same time, Mercer calls upon cognitive theory to explain that the fundamentalist's life story is not particular to Christianity or any other religious belief system but that fundamentalist Catholics, Muslims, Jews, and those of all other faiths share a common psychological profile. Indeed, Mercer insists that if the Christian terminology were eliminated from contemporary fundamentalist Christian rhetoric, what would remain would be a framework that fundamentalists from other religions would find quite familiar and even comforting. In other words, the structure of the fundamentalist worldview, and the psychology beneath it, is pretty much the same across religions. It is a controversial thing to say about Christian fundamentalism, a thesis that has already proved contentious in the author's public appearances, and one that is sure to generate considerable attention and passionate debate as the U.S. populace continues to divide into opposing camps.