[Pseudonym]

Axeman wrote:

I may be completely out of line, but I interpret the "Religious Right" to be literal, fanatical, Southern-Baptist types. Jesus REALLY did walk on water (no ice fishing stories apply here) and Moses parted the Red Sea...literally. God will reign down fearful anger on fags and muslims. Those small-minded folks are the Religious Right, in my understanding.

So where do I fit if I believe Jesus to have really walked on water, but don't happen to believe that "God will rain down fearful anger on fags and muslims"?

[Psudo]

I believe the Bible to be the word of God, that Jesus and Peter both walked on the surface of liquid water, and that Reagan was the best President of the past 100 years, but Southern Baptists think I belong to a new-age cult. Am I Religious Right?

But that's rhetorical. The term "religious right" is used by the left the way "godless liberal" is used by the right: not well. There is a segment of the right that is both staunchly religious and staunchly conservative who I call "the Religious Right", but I say it without the huge negative connotation and implication of fanaticism. I just think of them as people who believe God's command that "Thou shalt not steal" applies equally to governments.

Less rhetorically, what is the difference between a Southern Baptist and a fanatical Southern Baptist? Or, in other words, what distinguishes a religious adherent from a religious fanatic? I would say one becomes a fanatic when one decides that people who disagree must concede or suffer violence, but I'm interested in knowing how you make the distinction.

[Pseudonym]

Speaking of which, do you care to have a discussion about Mormonism some time? I am rather curious and have never really discussed it thoroughly with someone from that actual perspective.

[Kjorteo]

Psudo wrote:

Less rhetorically, what is the difference between a Southern Baptist and a fanatical Southern Baptist? Or, in other words, what distinguishes a religious adherent from a religious fanatic? I would say one becomes a fanatic when one decides that people who disagree must concede or suffer violence, but I'm interested in knowing how you make the distinction.

I would say that or when the negative emotions and effects related to your religious beliefs (offense and anger at the nonbelievers around you and what they do with their free time, conflict with friends and family stemming from differing religious views, self-imposed guilt and misery if you ever slip up in yours, asceticism, etc.) outweigh the positive, whichever comes first.

[Psudo]

Sure, Pseudonym. Start a thread, and I'll answer your questions as best I can.

Or would you prefer I started a thread with a "Mormonism in a nutshell" introduction?

[Zipperfish]

I interpret the religious right to mean those who subscribe to a religion ("religious") and who are politcially and/or socially conservative ("right"). It's really not that difficult.

I suppose the term does have a pejorative connotation these days. Maybe in the future I should say "those of teh relgious persuasion who tend towards conservatism."

[Psudo]

Zipperfish: I like your definition best. But some people think Buddhist fiscal conservative social moderates don't qualify as "Religious Right".

[Pseudonym]

Psudo wrote:

Sure, Pseudonym. Start a thread, and I'll answer your questions as best I can.

Or would you prefer I started a thread with a "Mormonism in a nutshell" introduction?

Maybe I should come up with a list of basic questions I need you to answer in such an introduction and then we could start a thread. Maybe I'll PM you sometime and we can start from there. Not today though. I would rather be able to pay more complete attention to the subject, so I shall postpone until an indefinite point in the future.

[Zipperfish]

Psudo wrote:

Zipperfish: I like your definition best. But some people think Buddhist fiscal conservative social moderates don't qualify as "Religious Right".

They wouldn't be, by my definition, I don't think. A fiscal conservative need not be a political of social conservative. I wouldn't qualify as a conservative according to most on this board, however I am indeed a fiscal conservative!

I'm not trying to use the term in any pejorative sense, just as an important subset of the contemporary political landscape.

[Psudo]

I meant "politically conservative on financial issues", such as tax cuts, low government spending, and little regulation of the market. I guess there is a distinction I should have made between conservative about government finances and conservative about domestic financial issues.

[Kjorteo]

Either way, one of the main things about the stereotypical image of the Religious Right is that they're supposed to be more concerned about social conservatism anyway. Think Jerry Falwell and such.

[Axeman]

Pseudonym wrote:

So where do I fit if I believe Jesus to have really walked on water, but don't happen to believe that "God will rain down fearful anger on fags and muslims"?

I'd have to know whether you're on the political left or right to form a response. If you're on the right, DING DING DING, you're a member. If you're on the left, then you're a delusional hippie.

[Sapio]

Pseudonym wrote:

So where do I fit if I believe Jesus to have really walked on water, but don't happen to believe that "God will rain down fearful anger on fags and muslims"?

Sounds like me, but I'm far from the religions right.

[CanadianJeff]

Axeman wrote:

Pseudonym wrote:

So where do I fit if I believe Jesus to have really walked on water, but don't happen to believe that "God will rain down fearful anger on fags and muslims"?

I'd have to know whether you're on the political left or right to form a response. If you're on the right, DING DING DING, you're a member. If you're on the left, then you're a delusional hippie.

And any respect I may have had for you just went out the window. Don't ever condemn anyone like that without listing to their full opinion. Your just looking for a reason to hate him regardless of what he does.

Sick.

[Axeman]

CanadianJeff wrote:

And any respect I may have had for you just went out the window. Don't ever condemn anyone like that without listing to their full opinion. Your just looking for a reason to hate him regardless of what he does.

Sick.

"Don't ever condemn anyone like that without listening to their full opinion"? Holy Hell! Talk about the pot and the kettle. Did I really need to have included a smiley? Wow. I don't hate anyone. Life's too short to hate, or to go without a sense of humour. Speaking of losing respect for someone...