Simple question really, inspired by many a thread, including this one.
Is the term “fundie” a pejorative? Can something be mainly, mostly, somewhat, slightly pejorative? Does it depend on context for some words? Does it depend on context for “fundie”?
I assume it must depend on context, but I’ve yet to see the word used in any way other than as a pejorative of varying intensity, depending on the user. I do use it that way, though I probably shouldn’t use it at all. Name-calling is a bad habit, but tough to break.
While I certainly don’t intend the word as pejorative when I use it, I cannot see the word “fundamentalist” or “fundie” as having any good connotations. Fundamentalists see the world in black and white, and view any deviation from their rigid, narrow view of the world as evil.
I see the OP differently, Maureen. It isn’t whether or not being a fundamentalist is bad; it’s whether or not the word “fundie” is pejorative.
And my answer is that any abbreviation of a term designating ethnicity, national original, sexual preference or religious persuasion is going to be (more or less) negative. Using a slang/abbreviative term indicates a lack of respect.
So, you’re saying that any word that could be used to describe a “fundamentalist” will ultimately have a negative connotation for you, so the identity of the term itself is irrelevant? Am I getting it?
For me, “fundamentalist” would come out if I’m being polite; “fundie” when I’m not. I don’t distinguish between the two in meaning, but the more formal term seems inherently more polite.
I understood the question. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear enough. I don’t see “fundie” as a pejorative when I use it; to me it is short for fundamentalist. I just don’t see a lot of good associated with either word.
quote=jsgoddess]So, you’re saying that any word that could be used to describe a “fundamentalist” will ultimately have a negative connotation for you, so the identity of the term itself is irrelevant? Am I getting it?
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Pretty much. I’ve met and talked with several fundamentalists (my oldest daughters live in Utah, and the ones I met there were self-described fundies). While there were some I met that were quite pleasant, they made it quite clear that I would not be accepted as a Christian unless I was converted to the true church, and even then, I may not be saved. In the words of one: “You seem like a very decent person; it really is a shame you’re going to hell.” :eek: There was no two ways about it; their way or the highway.
Just so I’m clear. Self described fundies or self described fundamentalists?
The young lady and gentleman in question used the term “fundie.” There was a young lady on this board I corresponded with on a regular basis who described herself as a “fundie.”
Crud. Stupid, stupid submit key.
It seems to me that younger fundamentalists (the ones I have met, I can’t speak to all of them) actually prefer the term “fundie.” And, aside from their very narrow minded viewpoint when it came to religion, I quite enjoyed talking with them. They were unfailingly polite, civic minded people. Well spoken, intelligent; the kind of people I was proud to have my daughter associated with. But some of the things that came out of their mouths when it came to religion absolutely chilled me to the bone.
As it is used, yes, it is a pejorative. My biggest problem with the word is people without an in depth understanding concerning U.S. Christian Protestant denominations use the term to refer to many groups that are not by any realistic definition “fundamentalist.”
I consider it a pejorative in the same way that “white supremacist” is a pejorative. When I use either term, I intend to belittle the object of the term, because I find their sincerely-held beliefs to be reprehensible.
Daniel
It does seem to be one of the few, if not the only, pejorative that is premissible to use on this board. It is often used around here to designate anyone whose political opinions are informed by his or her religion. The truth is, there is a continuum of religious belief and I just can’t see how you draw the line and say “these folks are fundamentalists” and “these folks aren’t”. All religious belief involves faith and the suspension of reasoning-- some just more than others.
I’m not certain if I have used the term fundie or not. If I did, more than likely, I was using it as an abbreviation rather than as a pejorative. I try not to generalize and stereotype, but I’m sure I’ve been guilty of it.
I have a reasonable understanding of U.S. Christian Protestant denominations. The teachings of the fundamentalists in my youth did not concern me. The attitudes of some of the same fundamentalist churches today do concern me as do some of the newer denominations.
Not sure I’d agree with that. Belief in God doesn’t require one to suspend reasoning per se. Many of the greatest scientists did, and do, believe in God. Faith and reasoning inhabit different realms and it’s quite possible to combine the two.
DING DING DING! We have a winner. The word fundie can be used in a non-pejorative context, either by fundamentalists to describe themselves (somewhat-kinda-not-really-at-all-like the modern use of “niggah”) or by participants in a discussion who wish to use shorthand, so as not to type out ‘fundamentalist’ every five minutes. But the majority of the time, it is used as a factual description that carries a negative connotation. Much like use of the specific ethnic background of a person as an insult, i.e. “Oh, you’re Mexican” or “Those Koreans, I mean really.”
I think a lot of people draw the line at Biblical literalists, but I could be making an assumption.
Fundie isn’t the only pejorative that seems to be allowed. *Cracker, white trash, yankee, yank, bitch, pinkos, Commies, lefties, righties, Pubbies, cowboy, * and others can sometimes be used as pejoratives here.
Indeed, if you read the Gospel of Matthew and the NT Epistles, you’ll see that they frequently appeal to reason as a means of persuasion. Matthew’s Gospel, for example, continually makes reference to fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
Now, one might argue (misguidedly, IMO) about the validity of Matthew’s logic, but the point remains – he most certainly did NOT expect people to forsake logic and espouse blind faith.
By some standards, I’m a fundamentalist C’tian. By other standards, I’m not. I don’t find “fundie” particularly offensive. However, a while back, I did coin the term “fundist” as an alternate non-perjorative abbreviation. It was used for a while by some & then dropped out of fashion. Feel free to try to get it going again.
No more so than ‘leftie’, which I don’t object to either. It may not be a hard and fast rule but for me if it refers to something like race or illness/handicap, something intrinsically unalterable, then it is pejorative. In the context of politics, discussion of opinions, then leftie, fundie, repug etc are all fair game rhetoric.
Fundie and fundamentalist both carry heavy negative connotations in my mind. I wouldn’t use fundie as a way of mocking fundamentalists, it’s just easier to type. I’m not saying it’s not a pejorative, just that it’s no more of a pejorative than fundamentalist, AFAIC.