Short for “fundamentalist.” As used by most of the editors of this blog, a somewhat derogatory term for those whose religious doctrine (or, more correctly, dogma) tends towards the rigid and/or irrational. Consider themselves the polar opposite of Heretics.
Things fundies are known for:
Circular logic. âThe Bible claims itself to be true. I know it to be true, therefore I can believe it when it makes that claim.â
Claiming Biblical inerrancy and/or literalism. âGod wrote the Bible, and he doesn’t make mistakes. It means exactly what it says.â
Anger at viewpoints less rigid than their own. Words like âfalse prophetsâ and âhereticâ tend to get bandied around.
Sticking to the viewpoint they have chosen, against all available evidence.
Belief that Jesus is coming âtomorrowâ to rescue the âtrueâ Christians, after which he will âfuck some shit upâ on the rest of the world.
In the US, being supporters of George Dubya.
Blindly supporting Israel, while completely ignoring their mistreatment of Palestine.
The Fundy Test
Ask the potential Fundy a theoretical question beginning with âIf Jesus was gayâ¦â (or even âWhat if Jesus was gay?â). Evaluate their response:
- Spluttering, twitching, shouting, head exploding: Fundy.
- Confusion/lack of understanding: potentially normal.
- Sensible answer: probably normal.
- Laughter/âBut he wasâ/âMmm, gay Jesusâ: Heretic.
Comments
Palestine’s government is a terrorist organisation whose sworn goal is to obliterate Israel. What are they supposed to do, sit by and let it happen? — Greg
Wait, how can a government be a terrorist organisation? Surely if it’s governmental, it just becomes an act of war? Not to belittle their evil, but it’s like calling Iraqi militia-men “insurgents” and “terrorists” when by most definitions they’re freedom-fighters or a resistance movement. â mattw
Ok then, they’re closely affiliated with a terrorist organisation. I don’t really know the ins and outs, there just seems to be a very blurry line between crazed fanatics and democratically elected government in Palestine. â greg
Israel was established (this time around) by driving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of family-generations land. Israel isn’t entirely innocent. (I don’t deny that it’s a nasty horrible situation, and I have some sympathy for Israel. But let’s look at both sides.) â mattw
Sure, I guess each side is culpable in their own way- and I suppose there’s also the argument that Israel is nothing but a pawn of the Great Satan, blah blah. I’d agree that we should look at both sides of the argument. — Greg
Then we’re agreed, and neither of us fundies :). I’m prepared to admit that I’m sometimes more supportive/empathetic towards Palestine than would be just, but I think it’s largely as a reaction against the point of view I first listed, which basically comes down to (and I have come across this many times) “Israel is God’s chosen nation, and therefore their actions do not need to be morally justified” â mattw.
Fair enough. And no, I’m certainly not a fundy… but they’re something of an oppressed (banned?) minority around these parts, and someone needs to speak for them ;) — Greg
Ah, shit. Does 1 strike and 2 almosts make me fundy?
Right, I will go into more detail, bash me at will.
-I believe the Bible is true because it’s the word of God. If you don’t accept it, then what are you actually basing your faith on?
-I believe the Bible is inerrant in the languages in which it was written HOWEVER I readily accept that translation sometimes makes it hard to define exactly what was written. The use of multiple translations is good to check against
-I may not agree with your opinion, nor you with mine, but at least we establish where we stand - too many people seem to refuse to take any position at all. I will accept rational evidence.
-I do hold to the rapture idea but I believe that it is for a select grouping; there will be “true” christians that go into the tribulation.
-I do support israel as it is God’s chosen nation, and I think its treatment has been very similar to that of Czechoslovakia around WWII BUT acknowledge that as a state Israel has not kept its hands clean.
