CONSERVATIVE RELIGION



 

TYPES OF RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES


Evangelicals

Protestants who stress conservative doctrine and morality, traditional or literal interpretation of the Bible, missionizing and individual commitments to Christ

Example: Billy Graham


Pentecostals

Evangelicals or Fundamentalists views and particularly belief in Holy Spirit "gifts" (speaking in tongues, faith healing, uttering of prophecies)

Example: Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert

Charismatics

Those of Pentecostal faith within non-Pentecostal denominations

Example: Oral Roberts (United Methodist)


Fundamentalists

Militant Evangelicals who hold to the inerrancy of the Bible

Example: Jerry Falwell
Attributes of Fundamentalism

1. Social movement, not just a belief system

2. Profound critique of modern society, which is thought to undermine the sacred canopy, provided by a revered tradition, and to create social organization

3. Threat is institutional differentiation, compartmentalization, cultural pluralism

4. Response to threat is to revitalize true faith and to de-differentiate -- to make all institutions operate on sound value principle, implement the sacred worldview across the board and de-privatize religion. Church-state dualism is rejected. An organic link between religious and political authority is asserted. Religion is de-privatized.