From San Joaquin-An extraordinary thing is happening in Bakersfield, the "City of Righteousness." It began on July 7 and, week by week, seems to grow in strength in an old church property downtown. Fundamentalism is being dealt a mighty blow by the new and inclusive community at the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
The prologue to this story is easily drowned out in the Kern religious landscape. Over 10 years ago, irreconcilable differences tore apart one of the oldest church families in Bakersfield; and though you may have heard it, only the children of a broken family can know the story.
But Bakersfield Christians and non-Christians alike can learn from this story, because the foundation of the Anglican-Episcopal schism is a darkness that has cast a heavy shadow over us all.
Fundamentalism is not having deep and sincere religious beliefs; being faithful to faith; or having a "scriptural basis." Nor is it feeling a need for salvation in a harsh world. Fundamentalism is never about these "fundamentals" that make up the elements of all human faiths. Once more, humanity is a family, Christians are taught, wherein each person is made by God in his image.
Christianity especially is defined by juxtaposition, believing in an immeasurable and all powerful creator who is also the personal father to all his creation. The creed different people profess, and what they think it means, doesn't change that.
More here-
http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/opinion/hot-topics/x1691371102/How-fundamentalism-misses-fundamentals-of-Christianity
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