[OBW]

Like so many generalizations, Mr. Prothero's comments cast dispersions that may fit a few onto a whole that is neither studied not acknowledged. In both non-denominationalism, and in fundamentalism in general, you will find groups that are an embarrassment to most of those within the categories you name. But for every group retreating to the mountains of Montana, or the open expanses of Texas, there are myriads for whom that kind of rhetoric does not fit. For every group like that wacko Baptist bunch from Kansas protesting at soldier's funerals, there are thousands wishing they decided to pick something besides the Bible to use to support their hate and prejudice.

Non-denominationalism is too broad a spectrum to lay any particular evil upon.

But to say that non-denominationalism is just giving lip service to Christian unity is generally a false statement. It is in the umbrella of a group that has particular beliefs, but does not exclude those who hold other beliefs that Christian unity begins, at least on a small scale. From this, the unity that is displayed within such groups becomes their approach to unity with other groups. It does not require others to agree on everything. Instead they agree on the mission of the church and leave the doctrines aside.

I think that outsiders like to find fault with the church and look for examples to prop up as if the poster-child for their opinion. And for those of us who were within one of the aberrant groups that does not really believe in unity outside of theirs own walls, we still have a little of that knee-jerk reaction — even if our current leanings are far different, even to atheism. The Christian life and community is not an "us v them" world. It only appears that way when you were deep within one of those groups. Or if you are some kind of outsider looking to throw stones at all Christians by finding fault in one.

We surely all have faults. But this kind of generalization colors everyone with the faults of a few.