Changes

Historically they have not hesitated to practice Biblical separation from groups and persons not holding to similar views: many churches either broke away ''en masse'' from other Baptist denominations (mainly the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) or split off from churches which remained in the denominations.  As such they tend to speak against more popular Christian teachers such as [[Rick Warren]] and [[Joel Osteen]], and to a lessor extent, [[Billy Graham]]. However, this practice has waned in recent years among larger congregations which have, in some cases, joined or rejoined denominations (an example being Thomas Road Baptist Church, which was originally independent and a member of the quasi-denominational [[Baptist Bible Fellowship International]], but later joined the Southern Baptist Convention and now is dually aligned with both groups).  Even on matters where they would agree with another denomination (such as abortion) Independent Baptist churches typically refuse to work with any other Christian church, for fear that doing so will result in a compromise in doctrines or lead to a [[New World Order|one-world religion]].

Historically they have not hesitated to practice Biblical separation from groups and persons not holding to similar views: many churches either broke away ''en masse'' from other Baptist denominations (mainly the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) or split off from churches which remained in the denominations.  As such they tend to speak against more popular Christian teachers such as [[Rick Warren]] and [[Joel Osteen]], and to a lessor extent, [[Billy Graham]]. However, this practice has waned in recent years among larger congregations which have, in some cases, joined or rejoined denominations (an example being Thomas Road Baptist Church, which was originally independent and a member of the quasi-denominational [[Baptist Bible Fellowship International]], but later joined the Southern Baptist Convention and now is dually aligned with both groups).  Even on matters where they would agree with another denomination (such as abortion) Independent Baptist churches typically refuse to work with any other Christian church, for fear that doing so will result in a compromise in doctrines or lead to a [[New World Order|one-world religion]].

Of all the Protestant groups they have the hardest stance against [[Roman Catholicism]]; some holding the view that it is the [[Whore of Babylon]] mentioned in Revelation 17-18.  IFBs generally have even stronger opposition to [[Seventh-Day Adventist]]s, [[Mormon]]s and [[Jehovah's Witness]]es, often considering them to be [[cult]]s.

Of all the Protestant groups they have the hardest stance against [[Roman Catholicism]]; some holding the view that it is the [[Whore of Babylon]] mentioned in Revelation 17-18. and would consider Catholics not to be Christians (except for some who may have been saved before joining the Catholic Church).  IFBs also have strong opposition to [[Seventh-Day Adventist]]s, [[Mormon]]s and [[Jehovah's Witness]]es, considering them to be [[cult]]s and their adherents also not to be Christians.

They tend to be highly conservative in lifestyles, with almost all shunning alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, and with most being highly critical of movies and television, with some avoiding secular programming altogether (to the point of not even having a television set in the home, and in some cases no computer or internet access). Independent Baptists typically dress very conservatively: some congregations discourage women from wearing pantsuits, and it is extremely rare for the pastor not to wear a coat and tie while preaching. [[Homeschooling]] is quite prevalent among IFB's<ref>In fact, the two major homeschool publishers are ''A Beka Books'' (affiliated with [[Pensacola Christian College]], an IFB school) and ''BJU Press'' (affiliated with [[Bob Jones University]], technically non-denominational but has strong influence within the IFB community).</ref>; while other families may send their children to a private Christian school, often sponsored by an IFB church. Nonetheless, some IFB families send their children to [[public school]], sometimes for financial reasons, sometimes hoping that their children will provide a good testimony to other children, sometimes due to a lack of other options, and sometimes because the IFB families themselves work in the public school system. However, IFBs are often critical of the education system as a whole, particularly anything related to [[evolution]] or [[sex education]].

They tend to be highly conservative in lifestyles, with almost all shunning alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, and with most being highly critical of movies and television, with some avoiding secular programming altogether (to the point of not even having a television set in the home, and in some cases no computer or internet access). Independent Baptists typically dress very conservatively: some congregations discourage women from wearing pantsuits, and it is extremely rare for the pastor not to wear a coat and tie while preaching. [[Homeschooling]] is quite prevalent among IFB's<ref>In fact, the two major homeschool publishers are ''A Beka Books'' (affiliated with [[Pensacola Christian College]], an IFB school) and ''BJU Press'' (affiliated with [[Bob Jones University]], technically non-denominational but has strong influence within the IFB community).</ref>; while other families may send their children to a private Christian school, often sponsored by an IFB church. Nonetheless, some IFB families send their children to [[public school]], sometimes for financial reasons, sometimes hoping that their children will provide a good testimony to other children, sometimes due to a lack of other options, and sometimes because the IFB families themselves work in the public school system. However, IFBs are often critical of the education system as a whole, particularly anything related to [[evolution]] or [[sex education]].