Is Andrea Yates a victim of fundamentalism?

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by revtj

Nathan,

I am sorry about this situation with your mom. I know it must be hurting you in many ways.

It is so hard to navigate between someone's religious beliefs that you don't agree with and still love them in a way that makes you both feel connected and cherished. I wish I had some advice...I know that it would be a lot easier if she was a patient, a neighbor or a casual contact. But it's your mom and it is hard to brush the toxic religion off and focus on other things in your relationship where you both agree and are supportive. My heart goes out to you & you and your mom are in my prayers.

revtj

Thanks revtj. I appreciate your prayers.
peace,
Nate

[tdogg]

Nathan,

Sorry to hear about your mom. I will definitely remember you and her in my prayers! My step mom is very similar, fundamentalist AG, always trying to predict when Jesus is coming. She also has not accepted me being a Lesbian or being in a relationship with another woman. Recently she sent a box to me via my sister, I opened it this weekend. It contained a small stereo I had loaned her, and a toy that I kept at her and my dad's house, so my little dog had something to play with while visiting. It felt like a slap on my face, as if she was saying "you are not welcome here, and neither is your little dog." I'm told that there is more acceptance with time, but with her I hold very little hope that she will accept me and none for my partner.

Fundamentalism (extreme anyway) seems to hold a common link to those believers in it that cause emotional and physical pain and harm. I can't seem much good in that. It's as if some who call themselves Christians completely forget what Christ did and is doing, and what he came here for. His teachings are sadly left by the wayside. Hang in there Nathan, keep on truckin' and maybe it's true like others say, it will get better. I think we need to really pray for the deliverance of our loved ones from these extremist beliefs and 'leaders'.

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by tdogg

Nathan,

Sorry to hear about your mom. I will definitely remember you and her in my prayers! My step mom is very similar, fundamentalist AG, always trying to predict when Jesus is coming. She also has not accepted me being a Lesbian or being in a relationship with another woman. Recently she sent a box to me via my sister, I opened it this weekend. It contained a small stereo I had loaned her, and a toy that I kept at her and my dad's house, so my little dog had something to play with while visiting. It felt like a slap on my face, as if she was saying "you are not welcome here, and neither is your little dog." I'm told that there is more acceptance with time, but with her I hold very little hope that she will accept me and none for my partner.

Fundamentalism (extreme anyway) seems to hold a common link to those believers in it that cause emotional and physical pain and harm. I can't seem much good in that. It's as if some who call themselves Christians completely forget what Christ did and is doing, and what he came here for. His teachings are sadly left by the wayside. Hang in there Nathan, keep on truckin' and maybe it's true like others say, it will get better. I think we need to really pray for the deliverance of our loved ones from these extremist beliefs and 'leaders'.

Are we related? Our parents must be.

My mom kept referring to Shelby Corbitt, a pentecostal mother in Florida who was holy enough for Jesus to tell her when He's coming back... This lady has a website www.2007rapture.com and a book called "2007."

I sent her a sharply worded email this morning... that if my mom harms herself because of the "2007" teachings, I will not rest until she goes to jail.

That evil "minister" who got his claws in Andrea Yates should be in solitary confinement for the rest of his life. This woman isn't any different.

Some of her "wisdom"...

What if the rapture does not happen in 2007?

"If the rapture does not happen in 2007, it will be because of the extreme love, grace and mercy God has for the lost unbelievers in this world(iow, not because I'm a fruitcake). God does not want anyone to go to Hell and miss the rapture. God is stretching time now and He is giving everyone one last chance. No matter how long God waits some people are just not going to believe and receive Jesus as their Savior. I do not believe God would have told me to warn people of this date if He were not going to do it at that time. God is not a liar, He does not want me to be a liar, and He does not change His mind. I guess we will just have to wait until 2007 to see what happens."

and...

"How do we prepare for the rapture?"

"The only way to be prepared for the rapture is to repent of your sins and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. ONLY THE BLOOD JESUS SHED ON THE CROSS CAN FORGIVE AND CLEANSE YOU FROM SIN. So the only way to be rapture ready is receive Jesus as Savior. Receive into your life the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Jesus shed His blood for you, for your sins, so you would not have to. Jesus is your boarding ticket for the trip. No other way can you enter into Heaven except through Jesus Christ."

[pnggrad79]

Nate,
The Bible clearly tells us that no one knows the hour or day of Christ's return and it is blind arrogance that says it does know. I don't where this kind of thinking comes from but I know it hurts you very much. All you can do is pray for her and for the toxic religion that binds her. I am sorry you were dis invited to the family reunion. That is the spirit of religion talking there. God is so not about toxicity and gloom and doom.

God forgive us for putting you in our finite little boxes and I pray that you pull us out and let us experience you in your fullness, mercy and grace. Let us experience the freedom that Christ gave us so lavishly on the cross. Thank you for allowing us to die with Jesus on the cross. Thank you for that provision and for the fact that you knew us as gay and lesbian from the beginning of the world and that you provided for our salvation long before it ever happened, and long before we knew we needed a savior.

[nowvoyager]

Nate, my heart goes out to you and I'll indeed be praying.
Your mum must be so terrified of the Rapture if she'd chuck her own son over, in order to be included. Again, why Fundamentalism is so wicked - talk about being anti-family. It's like a wicked spirit that feeds on all those who devote their fear to it and it demands sacrifice of familial love, and the more people falling into it the more powerful it becomes. Terrible stuff.
It seems like you'll be the one voice that could pull her back, when she is ready to hear it. And the hard part for you will be to keep loving her even when she's so mean to you. Not fair to you, petal! I do wish you luck and calm and eloquence - come back here and rant all you want, if you need to, ok?

[NathanATX]

Hey folks,
I want to give you an update on my mom. I think she's going to be ok. It sounds like she finally understood how much she was worrying me. Here is my email to her, sent today. I hope there is something in what I've said to her that will encourage you in your relationships with your parents.

Peace,
Nate

************************************************** ************

hey mom,
I'm really glad to hear you're being involved in church more. Sometimes I get really worried about you. It's like I'm either mad or worried. It sure would be nice to have a 'normal,' loving relationship with you.

I want you to know that I am completely fine disagreeing with you... having different opinions and beliefs doesn't make me like or respect you less. I do expect you to be loving and kind because a) you are my mother and b) you say you are committed to be like Jesus. When you are not loving and kind, I will do my best to respond compassionately... honoring both God's presence in you and me.

Mom... if Jesus comes back next summer, what do you want to be able to say you spent your time doing? Terrorizing people into Christianity with threats of hell? Or living a daily life of compassion, mercy and service... literally being God's love in the world. Feeding the hungry, taking care of the hurting, visiting the lonely. If you want to convince people that God loves them, you're going to have demonstrate that YOU love them. And honestly... I think you could do a much better job of this with your own family... especially with me and my brothers.

I love you... you haven't done anything to deserve my love and you couldn't do anything to make me stop loving you. I want God's best for you. I want you to have an amazing, happy, & abundant life. The choice to do that is entirely yours. I'm praying for you.

love,
Nathan

[tdogg]

Nathan,

Yes, we must be related! But, what a great letter to your mom. I haven't used that approach with my aunt yet, well to a limited extent. And I haven't talked to my stepmom in quite a while, putting it off, afraid she will confirm my suspicions that I'm not welcome and she doens't want to talk to me anymore (never mind what my dad wants or doesn't want...)

pdggrad - doesn't the Bible also say that Jesus doesn't even know when He is to return? Amazing that this lady got the info when Jesus himself doesn't know. Maybe I'm wrong about that?

Yes I think these fundamenalist extremist should be held accountable for their manipulation of those who are quite as strong-willed to stand up for their OWN standards and beliefs. Definitely held accountable and made to pay the price. Emotional and mental manipulation is a horrible, evil, inhumane crime.

[pnggrad79]

Originally Posted by tdogg

Nathan,

Yes, we must be related! But, what a great letter to your mom. I haven't used that approach with my aunt yet, well to a limited extent. And I haven't talked to my stepmom in quite a while, putting it off, afraid she will confirm my suspicions that I'm not welcome and she doens't want to talk to me anymore (never mind what my dad wants or doesn't want...)

pdggrad - doesn't the Bible also say that Jesus doesn't even know when He is to return? Amazing that this lady got the info when Jesus himself doesn't know. Maybe I'm wrong about that?

Yes I think these fundamenalist extremist should be held accountable for their manipulation of those who are quite as strong-willed to stand up for their OWN standards and beliefs. Definitely held accountable and made to pay the price. Emotional and mental manipulation is a horrible, evil, inhumane crime.

TDogg- you are correct. Jesus said that only the Father knows. These fundamentalists are constantly trying to rewrite the Bible to fit their homophobic, literalist, hateful agendas. It is downright arrogant what they do. Would Jesus be arrogant? I think not. This is modern day phariseeism.

[tdogg]

pnggrad,

Not only that - those who believe in the rapture - Jesus coming to take away all the saved - can't even agree on when it's going to happen or who exactly gets taken away. you said it best - phariseeism!

[marutidas]

...."But then I sigh; and with a piece of Scripture,
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:
And thus I clothe my naked villiany,
with old odd ends stolen forth from holy writ;
And seem a Saint when most I play the Devil"....
from Richard the 3rd, By Willam Shakespear

[tdogg]

Isn't that the truth! Thanks for that Marutidas!!

[SolApollo]

Originally Posted by marutidas

...."But then I sigh; and with a piece of Scripture,
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:
And thus I clothe my naked villiany,
with old odd ends stolen forth from holy writ;
And seem a Saint when most I play the Devil"....
from Richard the 3rd, By Willam Shakespear

Beautifully said. BTW, I like the Ramayana quote. I have a copy of the Gita at home - a beautiful "song of the Lord." Being UCC, exploring and understanding other religions is part of the package, and I like to collect religious literature (lol). Don't worry - I'm not trying to convert you. Just explaining my views, as I believe all religions are One - just many perceptions of God expressed in their own unique form.