Fundies in Amsterdam!

[InvisibleBallots]

So I'm walking down Damstraat and I overhear a group of people talking about Jesus. Two Dutch people were "witnessing" - standing on the streetcorner with a sign that says "Merry Christmas" and talking to anyone who stopped by.

A few blocks down towards Kloveniersewallenburgenstraat there was someone holding up a red flag. I asked him what it was about - evidentally, he's with the same group on Damstraat, from the local Evangelical church. He says his flag is a symbol of Christ's lordship over Amsterdam, and the eventual victory over evil forces in the city.

My mind flashed to all the conspiracy theories about Dominionists here on DU, but he explained that the "evil forces" ruling over Amsterdam is of course, the heroin pushers. He was a junkie for 12 years, found Jesus and has been cleaned up for 3 years. He explained that if that's not a miracle, he doesn't know what is. So he invited me to his Church, explaining that in good Dutch fashion, they have translations available over headphones for us English speakers :)

Someone who speaks Dutch can let me know if these are the good Christians or the bad ones.

http://www.berea-amsterdam.nl/

[GCP]

1. Well, from the little I learned of Amsterdam from 4 days there

recently, they seem to have some of the world's most liberal and inclusive people ever, so I'd think their version of fundies would be a world away from ours.

[Nikepallas]

2. Thanks. That supports my Theory that Fundies are trying to take over

the world.

[cvoogt]

3. don't know the group

but most of the info on their site talks about how they want to spread the Gospel and reach anyone who may not have heard of Jesus yet ... as if such people exist (at least in the West). Anyway, the most disturbing thing on their site mentions that they want to work towards having governmental institutions take Jesus Christ into consideration in their decision making process. The rest is just about proselytizing.

[China_cat]

4. Based in the US

and backed by Dobson/Falwell/ad nauseum factions.

I hope to hell they hassle my husband when he gets to Schiphol tomorrow. He will NOT be nice. (Raised Dutch reformed and now atheist, he is going home for his mother's funeral)

[InvisibleBallots]

6. they were not hassling anyone

Just for the record, there were extremely friendly and non-confrontational, and I didn't see them talk to anyone who didn't stop to talk to them.

If there are involved with the Dobson/Falwell people that's prima facie evidence they are bad in my book.

[China_cat]

9. It's been a while since I've been there

but I remember that the Dutch police had a tendency to not put up with the more strident of the proselytizers. The airport has had problems, though.

Thank goodness he's heading for Friesland, a small place called Ureterp, where the fundies of any stripe haven't invaded. Yet.

I wish I could be with him. His mother was a lovely woman. But I'm no longer allowed to fly.

[Andy_Stephenson]

11. Why can't you fly

are you on the list?

Sorry if it is personal no need to answer.

[China_cat]

14. No, not on the list

I've got lung problems that would be worsened (badly worsened) by flying.

[Swamp Rat]

5. We have a dope head in office who found "Jesus."

The folks I know in recovery who found "Jesus" are just as fucked up as when they were on drugs, though more dangerous IMO. Religion does not solve the underlying problems that lead to drug abuse, it just replaces it.

I've been to Amsterdam many times and therefore agree they have a serious drug problem, but fundies I've NEVER seen. THAT is scary. They'll be here this Mardi Gras too, as usual, but this year I plan to give 'em HELL!

[Viktor Runeberg]

7. Eh?

I've also been to Amsterdam many times and seen no fundies. But neither do I agree that Amsterdam has a serious drug problem. Compared to, say, New York or Seattle or LA or (name your US city) Amsterdam's mostly just a mix of pot heads and folks who like to spend a long evening at a cafe with wine or beer - and they don't even generally like to get as drunk as New Yorkers &c.

However, there's a strong Christian streak in the Dutch countryside. Like most Dutch, they're tolerant, but they also think they themselves are on the obviously best path.

[InvisibleBallots]

10. Amsterdam seems to have quite the heroin market

It reminds me of San Francisco very much. I think lots of people are in serious denial about the worldwide heroin trade and how to fight it. Harm reduction is good - clean needles are a necessity to prevent the spread of disease.

But ignoring the reality of heroin pushers is bad policy. Look no further than the last 3 years in Afghanistan, and Gary Webb's recent death the understand who the heroin pushers actually are.

I've lived in numerous major cities around the world, and there is one constant everywhere - an open heroin market ignored/protected by the local officials. It doesn't take much to figure out what's going on.

[rman]

12. heroin pushers are not being ignored

much unlike the 'war on drugs' in the US, Dutch policy is to go after the dealers rather then the users.

unless of course by pushers you mean certain high level entities that one wouldn't immediately expect to be drugs pushers. but that's mostly outside the scope of Amsterdam police.

[Swamp Rat]

15. Heroin

I wouldn't compare it to America, though, or perhaps Zurich. Ever been to "needle park?"

If you want to meet people who drink 'til they pass out, go to Norway or Sweden.

[tsuki]

13. "Found Jesus." Was He lost? That phrase really makes me

see red.

[bobbieinok]

8. there are various american conservative christian groups with 'missions

to Amsterdam', a city they see as the prime example of the eveil reults of 'liberal, non or anti-christian' attitudes

I think there are groups from Teen Mania, Youth with a Mission, youth groups from Dobson's Focus on the Family, and college groups from conservative christian colleges....examples: Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Wheaton College in Illinois, Falwell's Liberty University, Robertson's Regents University, Oral Roberts University, etc

[anitar1]

16. There Are Various Groups With Missions

Saw a documentary recently about the big push the Mormons have in Holland.