Are Anabaptists Religious Fanatics?

[steve-in-kville]

But I’m guessing many groups/organizations/churches have these kinds of flaws.

Sports fanatics, anyone?

[Ken]

I think there are people, and even specific groups, with the anabaptist community that are given to religious fanaticism. But more broadly I believe the majority hold some fanatical views while being rational in other areas. I say this because often there are positions that are taken that just don’t hold water, and no amount of rational discussion will change it.

But I’m guessing many groups/organizations/churches have these kinds of flaws.

Coming up with my own ad-hock definition, I would consider fanaticism to be zealotry combined with intolerance or narrow-mindedness.

So not only are you very zealous about your beliefs, you also very intolerant of others. One example would be the Taliban who are not only religious zealots, they cannot tolerate any diversity of belief.

I think a lot of Anabaptists are very zealous about their beliefs. But I don't see the same type of intolerance you would see with say the Taliban. Most Anabaptists are comfortable with diversity. There are, of course the odd exceptions. Like that case a few years back where one Amish leader of some splinter group attacked and forcibly shaved the beards of some others over some excommunication dispute that I forget the details of. That seemed like fanaticism. But generally speaking the normal Anabaptist is not offended by the presence of a Lutheran church down the road or a diversity of beliefs within the community.

[MaxPC]

But I’m guessing many groups/organizations/churches have these kinds of flaws.

Sports fanatics, anyone?

The American Church of the Super Bowl comes to mind.

[JimFoxvog]

Anabaptism is not supposed to be about fanaticism -> it's about conversion to a full new life in Jesus.

To many people, that describes fanaticism.

[Gene]

Difficult to discern how Anabaptism as represented by 21st century Mennonites could possibly be confused with Christian fanaticism.

[Sudsy]

I would think there is some fanaticism, as in excessive enthusiasm, on certain subjects that keeps showing up as in the last few threads. Over and over again topics such as D&R, women's headcoverings and pacifism, seem to me, to be topics with excessive enthusiasm for some Anabaptists that sets them apart from other Christians. Other groups such as Pentecostals, it is sometimes the emphasis on the Holy Spirit regarding the need to be baptised in the Spirit and spiritual gifts. For some Baptists and Brethren, they are known for their excessive enthusiasm over eternal security. Etc, etc.

It doesn't seem to matter how many threads there have been before on these subjects, they just keep showing up and much of the same arguments are presented. And some may say I have excessive enthusiasm over the need to be born again as a doctrine I believe is of primary importance.

So, in light of eternity and a person's ultimate destination, what does make the most sense to be fanatical about ? Or should Christians not have any area in their beliefs that have this excessive enthusiasm ?

Your thoughts on this and when we are crossing the line on some subject to be considered as a fanatic ?

[mrbilliam]

Christianity and Religion are two different things.

Christ should be every part of our life.

Religion.... That's where it gets complicated.

[Bootstrap]

Anabaptism is not supposed to be about fanaticism -> it's about conversion to a full new life in Jesus.

To many people, that describes fanaticism.

I agree. We want Jesus to be the center of our whole lives in a way that is weird to the world. We want the Bible to guide our worldview in a way that is just strange to them.

[Sudsy]

I think it possible to be considered weird but at the same time be an attraction as we are to shine our lights in a way that people will get beyond the weirdness and be attracted to the light within us that shows itself in good works. Matthew 5:16

When people see us as strange yet there is something real behind our religious ways that attracts them to know more, then I think we are on the right track of being weird.

Do some people see our weirdness as very off-putting and not anything that attracts them to know more or do they see our weirdness accompanied by good works, displaying the fruit of the Spirit and concern for them in a way that they can't just easily brush aside ?

I think I need to be fanatical in ways that attract people to the Saviour and not ways that chase them away.

[Ernie]

Christianity and Religion are two different things.

Christ should be every part of our life.

Religion.... That's where it gets complicated.

So what about the pure religion that James talks about?