From: lhughes@b11.ingr.com (Lawrence Hughes)
Subject: Re: What is a fundie?
Organization: Intergraph Corp. Huntsville, AL
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 19:24:46 GMT

In article <1992Apr15.145011.8722@infonode.ingr.com>, jimc@cobabe.b11.ingr.com (Jim Cobabe) writes:
> My cynical remarks regarding this discussion:
> 
> Everyone that has ventured an opinion about "fundies" has missed the crucial
> point so far.  Currently, a "fundie" is a derogatory characterization of the stereotypical
> ignorant, bigoted moron who professes faith in God, attends church regularly, and
> reads the Bible with the tiniest shred of credulity.

I was specifically trying to avoid use of terms like "moron" and "ignorant",
and stick to valid criticisms.

> Of course, the enlighted ones who profess other beliefs are certainly _correct_ to
> confer this label, since most of the Christians they know are really some kind
> of  benighted and horrible "Jekyl-and-Hyde" creature lurking somewhere in
> the dark.  These "fundies" rank alongside the loathsome "homophobe" as the
> evil enemy of everything that is logical and "Spock"-like.  "Fundies" and "homophobes"
> are the scum of the earth.  They can also be _correctly_ characterized as "anti-
> intellectual", since they tend to be less fun at wild parties.

They are certainly anti-intellectual, and they are certainly no fun at wild
(or other) parties, but these two facts are independent - they are anti-
intellectual because intelligent people can see through their claims, and
have a disconcerting way of coming up with nasty old facts that contradict
things the church (and/or bible) have claimed - but then they USED to be able
to deal with that kind of problem, just ask Galileo!

> If your neighbor is a "fundie", watch out!  They are _really_ scary people.
> They will continually jump up and down while screaming Biblical verses
> at the top of thier lungs.  They will try to convert you forcibly at every
> opportunity, always trying to ram their beliefs down you throat.  And they
> are completely unreasoning about everything.
> 
> We understand that "fundies" are pitiable creatures that deserve our sympathy,

Not mine - contempt yes, sympathy no. 

> albiet from a distance.  Researchers have discovered a fatal flaw in the brain
> structures of these miserable people that causes this deplorable condition.  Fortunately,
> the aberation is non-communicable, being entirely genetic in character.  Scientists
> are hopeful that a treatment may soon be discovered that will ameliorate the symptoms
> of "fundie"-ism, thus restoring peace and tranquility to the now-troubled world.

Someday, I hope they will be able to find a cure for christianity.

> *****************************************************************
> | Jim Cobabe                   |  uunet!ingr!b11!cobabe!jimc    |
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> *****************************************************************

Basically, I agree with the (surely unintended) conclusion that fundies and
homosexuals are both aberant and (to many people) unsavory people, whose
rights to do these things in private should be legal, but should also not
be allowed to infect the general public with their aberations.

Larry "what that REALLY what you meant?" Hughes

Newsgroups: hsv.religion