“A fundamentalist is a person who considers whether a fact is acceptable to their faith before they explore it, as opposed to a curious person who explores first and then considers whether of not they want to accept the ramifications.” – Seth Godin.

The above video reminded me of a Christian friend of mine who once described themselves as a ‘fundamentalist.’ They meant it not in the negative way we’ve come to interpret the word, but in a more literal sense of being a believer in the fundamental principle set forth by the Bible. However, like any fundamentalist, they were deeply suspicious of other interpretations or expressions of faith, especially it would seem, those who also called themselves ‘Christian.’ It’s attitudes like this that have repelled me from religion and driven me from wanting to spend even a moment in a church surrounded by people who might also be as openly closed minded.

I’m puzzled how anyone who believes in (any) God could be so narrow minded given that believing in the existence of something you cannot see or interact with physically is by it’s very nature an open minded thing to do. It seems to me that while mankind strives to find meaning and purpose on a spiritual level, religion strives to entangle those who are curious enough to seek.

I’m curious, but I don’t need an answer as much as I need the curiosity that drives me to question. This, it would seem, puts me at odds with religion.

Religion is methodology with a brand name. It’s politics of the heavens, where rules control the curious and answers control the questions. Just as there are numerous distractions to prevent us from seeking a spiritual experience, so to are there distractions within that experience itself.

My fundamentalist friend had honorable intentions; to seek the purity of God without the distractions of debate. But I think perhaps the fundamentalists, be them Muslim, Christian or whatever, have missed the point. They’ve become spiritual prefects entangled in the traps and traditions of method and ceremony when surely it’s not the rules that are important, but the search itself?

I’m still curious, and if God is out there, then I sincerely hope he’s not a religious man.

In God’s house
Seth Godin’s blog
Seth Godin on sliced bread and stuff