Intimidation. Bullying. Fundamentalism.
They are all attempts to shame another.
The problem with bullies is their own sense of inadequacy.
Why would I say this? And how does this relate to Genesis 4?
Watch our two minute Truth in Two video to find out! (full text below).
Bullies only want to take away others’ freedom.
Find out more about becoming a Christian APOLOGIST. I would be glad to talk with you about the work of RATIO CHRISTI (here). Subscribe to “Truth in Two” videos 
from Comenius (here). Mark is President of The Comenius Institute (website). Dr. Eckel spends time with Christian young people in public university (1 minute video), hosts a weekly radio program with diverse groups of guests (1 minute video), and interprets culture from a Christian vantage point (1 minute video). Consider becoming a Comenius patron (here).
Picture Credit: Luke Renoe, Snappy Goat
FULL TEXT:
Drew Brees, NFL quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, was attacked.
No, not on the football field. Brees was attacked in social media. Drew Brees, a Christian, made a simple video encouraging young Christians to participate in “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” Almost immediately the attacks on social media began. Some accused Brees of supporting a hatred of others because another group said that the group recording the video was, by their standards, a hate group.
I know. It gets confusing.
In the 1970’s some churches argued over what they called “degrees of separation.” In that view, a person should separate herself from a group that someone else had deemed a bad group. Some even considered that second, third, and fourth degrees of separation from persons associating with a person considered to be “bad” was necessary.
Didn’t I say it’s confusing?
The word used then to describe “degrees of separation” was “fundamentalism.” One simple definition of “fundamentalism” is excluding anyone from your group who disagrees with you. Further, that person or group can be shamed in social media. Times have changed but the fundamentalist mentality has not.
In the 1970’s a self-proclaimed revolutionary named Saul Alinsky came up with “13 Rules for Radicals,” another way to promote a fundamentalist mentality: identify the opposition, then shame the person.
Alinsky’s approach to vilifying opposing perspectives is as old as Genesis 4. If another person upstages you because you can’t measure up then cut them off, shut them down, or in Cain’s case, kill Abel. We see the Mr. Alinsky’s of the world for who and what they are.
At the Comenius Institute we believe in freedom: freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom to stand for one’s belief. We stand with Drew Brees and freedom loving people everywhere who simply want to declare what they believe.
For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, President of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found.
Bottom line: I don’t want anyone shamed on social media.
Unfortunate use and misidentification of “fundamentalism.” Classically the term meant one who held to the fundamentals of the faith (as the evangelicals of the day) and the need to separate from those who did not hold to those gospel truths. Having said that, I eschew the use of the term in our post-modern era due to its being co-opted politically (e.g. Islamic fundamentalism) and the the stain that many within the movement have brought to the movement (e.g. Westboro Baptist Church, et al).
The 4″ wide paint brush used to address what is a real problem, cantankerous, truculent people attempting to bolster their life or ministry by personal, unscrupulous attacks. Perhaps there is more nuance to such attitudes and terms than is allowed in two minutes.
Thanks for your thoughtful response. As you might imagine, I do understand the “classical” sense: I still prize my 4 volume set of “The Fundamentals.” 🙂 You are right: the term has changed, as does all language to one degree or another. I will stay with the definition given based on our 2019 context and the need to point out the attitude of “fundamentalism” in various groups – the point of my piece. [As I mentioned, the fundamental doctrines are a whole ‘nother issue!] Loved the paint brush metaphor. 🙂 I absolutely agree with your use of the word ‘nuance’ which is exactly the point. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And yes, the two minute limit is for a purpose.