Religion in America

Questions And Answers

One place where evolution IS alive and well is in the ecological niche occupied by religions in the United States. Here are some questions and answers (culled from dozens of sources!) to orient those of us observing from outside -- bewildered...

Protestantism:

What is fundamentalism?
[n] the interpretation of every word in the Bible as literal truth. -- Strict Fundamentalists reject the labels 'Pentecostal', 'Charismatic' and 'Evangelical.'

What is Pentecostalism?
[n] the principles and practices of Pentecostal religious groups; characterized by religious excitement and talking in tongues. An early (and notorious)Pentecostal preacher was Aimee Semple McPherson ; she founding her own Pentecostal church, and in 1924, built a radio station in Los Angeles to spread her ministry.

What is "The Toronto Blessing"?
The"Toronto Blessing" is a movement that finds its roots in the Charismatic Movement which, in turn, emerges from Pentecostalism. To understand this latest incarnation of Pentecostalism, see "The Toronto Blessing"

What is revivalism?
[n] an attempt to reawaken the evangelical faith. Early evangelical revivalists (who used radio)included Billy Sunday and Dwight L. Moody; later figures (who made the transition to television) included Billy Graham, Rex Humbard, Jerry Falwell and Oral Roberts.

What is charismatic?
Charismatic is a word used by certain Christian denominations (including Roman Catholics) to indicate that they believe in and practice the spiritual gifts of tongues, prophecy and words of knowledge, as well as other gifts of the Holy Spirit as found in the Bible.

What is evangelical?
[adj] relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the four Gospels; "evangelical Christianity"; "an ultraconservative evangelical message". The evangelical movement was founded in the 1940s in opposition to the growing power of fundamentalist groups in the US Christian community. The National Association of Evangelicals was founded in 1942. Evangelicals do NOT beleive in the 'second work of grace.'

What is the "second work of grace"? Some groups that believe that you receive grace when you are saved but then there needs to be a “second work” that is usually associated with receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

What is 'the prosperity gospel'?
It is the assertion that God guarantees health and wealth through faith and an obedience to his Word. It is associated with the late Pentacostal minister, Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin, father of the "Word of Faith" and "Positive Confession" movements, which critics summarize as "name it and claim it." Other well-known "Word of Faith" preachers include Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, Paul & Jan Crouch, Frederick Price, and Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Robert Tilton, Jesse Duplantis, and Marilyn Hickey (just to mention a few).
-->Where can I get more information about 'Word of Faith'? For those who have no objection to a relgious insider's perspective, the following link has a lot of specifics! Discernment Ministry International

What is 'The Rapture'?
It is the 'snatching up' of Christians (both living and resurrected dead) by Jesus in the Last Days. The key text in The New Testament for this is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Pre-Tribulationists -- who include many Fundamentalists and Evangelicals -- hold that this event will take place BEFORE 'The Tribulation' (a time of disorder before the Second Coming of Jesus). Hal Lindsey's book 'Late Great Planet Earth' is pre-tribulationist. Most traditional Christians hold that 'The Rapture' will take place AFTER 'The Tribulation' -- at the time of the Second Coming.

What is Christian Reconstructionism?
This is a modern movement that adheres to Calvinism. It holds that God -- not men -- controls whatever happens. It maintains that God -- not man -- must be obeyed and pleased. It is theocentric, rather than humanistic. The founding father of Christian Reconstructionism was Dr. Rousas Rushdoony. Christian Reconstructionism



Catholicism

A lexicon of Catholic terms...

What is 'cafeteria Catholicism'?
This is an expression used among Catholics to describe those who 'pick and choose' which Catholic doctrines and moral rules they will accept -- or not accept. It is usually used against Catholics who practice contraception or who accept abortion, but some have used the term to describe those American Catholics who accept laissez-faire capitalism, which has been condemned by Rome for more than 100 years as un-Christian.

"The Passion"

Mel Gibson's movie has attracted a lot of attention (to put it mildly!). For those interested in the Gallup Poll regarding this film, check this out (very complete and plenty of charts!) Gallup Poll: The Passion .

And for an extremely detailed and incisive analysis of the film from a skeptic's viewpoint, check out Paul Kurtz's article at The Passion... ... Kurtz describes scenes in "The Passion" which were NOT in The Four Gospels -- including those Gibson took from a 19th century Catholic nun and mystic named Anne Catherine Emmerich. This article is very interesting for those whose first concern is truth and facts.

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