NEVER call them the religious right, the fundamentalist right!

[usregimechange]

The fundamentalist right. The fundies highjacked the Republican party. They shall heretofore be called the "fundamentalist right." Don't call them religious, it is like giving them a compliment and makes us sound like atheists. Some of us are but we don't want to give them the opportunity to use prejudice and hate for political gain again. Agreed?

[Crunchy Frog]

1. I prefer to call them "the American Taliban" myself.

I also like the term "Radical clerics".

[etherealtruth]

7. Very apt terms n/t

[Deja Q]

2. Well, whatever they are, they are WRONG.

[reverendpatrick]

3. The Upside-Down People

Personally, I like to call them The Upside-Down People because all of their thinking processes are upside-down. Think Organ Kundabuffer, if you know what I mean...

[Kingofalldems]

4. Bingo! n/t

[Francesca]

5. Yes I agree and don't believe

they represent the majority of Christians in this country.. they are fundamentalists and their agenda's are in conflict with the beliefs they claim to be driven by.... I really believe there will be a backlash against from their own church's ...

[Viking12]

6. Led by "radical clerics"

[ck4829]

9. Identify this 'radical cleric'

He had ties to a Dictator who had ties to Al Qaeda

He called non-believers 'Termites' and he said it was time for a 'godly fumigation'

He has called for the bombing of the US State Department

Do you know who it is?

[Rockholm]

10. Jerry Falwell?

[B3Nut]

12. Wasn't it Pat Robertson?

Do I get a cookie? :D

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Viking12]

13. Pat Robertson???

[ck4829]

15. It was Pat Robertson

[jean]

8. The FOP, the FNC - that's what the party has become. Ask any

moderate Repub.

The new face of the FNC, the party of, by and for Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson (- a nice collage of these regressives would be handy -) oh and don't forget Randall Terry.

[fudge stripe cookays]

11. "Christo-Fascist Zombie Brigade!"

I love Mark Marron. I use this in everyday speech now!

FSC

[ClassWarrior]

14. Agreed. Sam and Janeane are calling them "The Rapture Right"...

...on AAR's "The Majority Report."

NGU.

[thecai]

16. Good Point!

Agreed!

[derby378]

17. The Talibornagains

That's my favorite version so far.

BTW, check out this sticker:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3969238247

[MrSlayer]

18. Works for me.

Points out the nuts and respects normal people who are religious.

[proud patriot]

19. point taken

I'll use it

[kentuck]

20. Call them neither...

Either of those names is insinuating they are "religious" in their politics. They are not. They are radicals that use religion as a political weapon.

[ConsAreLiars]

22. That's right - they are a corporatist front group funded and led by

the same millionaire fascists who funded the Heritage Foundation, AEI, the Arkansas Project, and other such "secular" operations. The ideology of the money men may be dominionist, but their goal is total power by them and their kind. See the People for the American Way website for comprehensive documentation: http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=3147

"Religious" zealotry is a means to the end, not a prime mover.

[Blue Topaz]

21. Gotcha

I'm with you.

[LSdemocrat]

23. Good point. Thanks! (n/t)

[southlandshari]

24. I respectfully disagree

I don't think calling them "religious" is some favor or compliment, and refusing to label them in this way may weaken our ability to defeat them. And I am a Christian of deep faith. You can be full of religion and completely devoid of Christian love and commitment.

I understand the point you are making, but still struggle with this. I agree in that I do not think it is appropriate to call fundamentalists the "Christian right" any more than I believe the phrase "Islamic terrorists" has any merit.

But "fundamentalist" IS a religious category (just like evangelical or charismatic), not a political group. While "fundamentalist right" isn't inaccurate, I worry that NOT identifying those who mix fundamentalist religion and right-wing politics as the "religious right" minimizes the incredible threat that combination poses to this country.

Am I making sense? I'm not trying to start a flame war or disrespect your OP. I just feel that, as someone whose religion and faith are integral parts of who I am, I must be willing to shine light on those who distort and abuse the two. These people are not Christians to me, but they are certainly "religious". And we need to fight loud, long and hard to expose them and their demagogary.

And, just an aside, the "makes us sound like atheists" is an unnecessary slight to many here. I don't think you meant to offend, but this is important to me. What atheists believe - or do not believe - is irrelevant to how we as Christians deal with those who distort our faith for political or personal gain.

[Bridget Burke]

25. They have names they use for themselves....

Such as Dominionist and Christian Reconstructionist.

Fundamentalists are not always politically active. Wouldn't the Amish & Mennonites be considered Fundamentalists? Even the Southern Baptists didn't always trust politicians.

[southlandshari]

26. Good points

I agree that there are plenty of fundamentalists (in most religions) that are not politically active - they wouldn't fall into the category I think we are discussing (whether it be called the "fundamentalist right" or the "religious right".

Maybe I should have used a capital "F" when saying "Fundamentalists". I am talking about a specific movement within Christianity, mostly within Protestant denominations, as opposed to a more general definition of fundamentalist (ie conservative, strict - which can be found in all religions). Here's more:

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Fundamentalist-Christians

I know some folks think we are splitting hairs on terminology, but language is very powerful. The passionate and emotional debates right on here DU illustrate that.

[Speck Tater]

27. "Radical Clerics" works for me.