Name That Fundamentalist!

November 8, 2002 9:51 AM

Name That Fundamentalist!
Is everyone ready for some Friday fun? How about online quizzes today? Here's one where you try to guess which fundamentalist is responsible for a quote. Go ahead, give it a try and post your favorites too!
posted by nofundy (14 comments total)

12 out of 20, I suck at name that fundamentalist. Seems they are even more indecipherable then I imagined. Shall I evoke the Godwin law in the first comment? I wonder what would happen if you added Hitler quotes to the mix?
posted by pejamo at 10:02 AM on November 8, 2002

I thought it was pretty clear in the quotes, that some sounded like translations from another language when others didn't, but I only got 10 out of 20. I can't believe some of the things I'm reading from Falwell and Robertson.
posted by mathowie at 10:08 AM on November 8, 2002

pejamo- The artist does not create for himself, he creates for the people, and it shall be seen that the people are called forth to judge his art.

Sorry.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 10:10 AM on November 8, 2002

19 out of 20.

Yes, there really is a difference between our fundamentalists and their fundamentalists.

Admittedly, part of it is the language. I think Arabic tends to be translated rather stiffly, and it's this stiffness of syntax, rather than content, that makes it reasonably easy to tell the difference.

In some cases, though, who is speaking is obvious from content. 18, for example, clearly refers to abortion, which is a bete noir of the American religious right. 16 is also obviously the product of Americans who are unwilling to completely condemn the country they love: Osama wouldn't have been the least bit hesitant to claim that God had condemned America forever. 12 is obviously by Osama; when have you ever heard Falwell or Robertson complain about 'polytheism'? 'Atrocious' also has a slightly silly sound today, and sounds like the work of an uninspired translator. Likewise, condemning the 'one-world' idea is standard rhetoric with the American religious right, which is also solidly on the side of Israel.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 10:18 AM on November 8, 2002

I still don't get what you have against the Bay of Fundy, nofundy.
posted by insomnyuk at 10:18 AM on November 8, 2002

Wait, where's Oissubke?? I can't believe they left me out!
posted by oissubke at 10:22 AM on November 8, 2002

11 of 20. All three of them sound like psychotic nutjobs to me. Particularly #20 once the context is revealed.
posted by Foosnark at 10:30 AM on November 8, 2002

Upon completion of the test, I was very glad it wasn't all quotes by Robertson or Falwell, in some sly trolling fashion. That lends a lot more credence to the point. Good link, nofundy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:48 AM on November 8, 2002

A condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It'll bring about terrorist bombs; it'll bring earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor.

That one had me rolling.
posted by Succa at 12:41 PM on November 8, 2002

While I am an uncompromising critic of Fundamentalism of all religious varieties, I think that this quiz is an unfair and offensive smear on both Robertson and Falwell. I completely disagree with both men and their religo-nut agendas and abhor their very real threat to Secularism, but this does not mean that all criticisms or barbs directed towards them are justified ethically. Pejamo touches on this: it would not be fair to compare Falwell with Hitler, because Hitler's crimes are of a distinct breed and are far, far worse. But, in essence, that is what this quiz just did. This is bad for two reasons: It vilifies two men to a degree far past that which is fair or ethical, and it diminishes the enormity and distinction of Bin Laden's crimes by equating them with much lesser evils.

In reality, the quiz is deceptive by using only quotes that do not condone violent extremism, only ones that attack Secularism.

I could construct a similar quiz asking 'Who said it: Hitler or my hippie neighbor?'. I could then only include quotes that relate to Vegetarianism.
posted by dgaicun at 12:52 PM on November 8, 2002

I think that this quiz is an unfair and offensive smear on both Robertson and Falwell.

If one could twist the threads of history only so slightly it would not be inconceivable for men like Robertson and Falwell to openly advocate (and perhaps even participate in) violence against secularist, homosexuals and other religions.

I'm of the humble opinion that there isn't much difference between the thought processes of men like Pat and Jerry and those of a suicide bomber or airplane hijacker. It just so happens that here in the US they are able to bend the nation to their will through their lobbying efforts and deep pockets rather than via more violent means.

As it is they find themselves hemmed in on all sides by the media and the more laid back public at large. When they do slip up and condemn this group or that - they are always quick to apologize. Pussies.

I still think that most Americans realize that secularism is the foundation of our free society and the key reason that we don't have fundies (Xian or other wise) blowing themselves up inside the local Best Buy or Applebee’s.

Hell, you can't even have a good ole book burning anymore.
posted by wfrgms at 1:20 PM on November 8, 2002

If one could twist the threads of history only so slightly it would not be inconceivable for men like Robertson and Falwell to openly advocate (and perhaps even participate in) violence against secularist, homosexuals and other religions.

This statement doesn't make any sense. If one could twist the threads of history, then

A)It would be that thread twister who caused the outcome, not the puppets, who he manipulated into evil acts.

B) You could make any one do anything. History is the shaping agent.

In other words just because you can imagine that Pat Buchanan could become Hitler and commit genocide if only someone slightly twisted the threads of history, doesn't mean that Buchanan actually is Hitler, that he advocates genocide, or that he wants to or could bring himself to participate in it any more so than you could.

Falwell and Robertson are both kooky Fundamentalist, but they do not advocate and participate in violent extremism the way that Bin Laden does, in any world except your imagination. Refusing to recognize important distinctions is a form of Fundamentalism in itself.
posted by dgaicun at 2:44 PM on November 8, 2002

My first guess was Noam Chomskey
posted by WLW at 4:35 PM on November 8, 2002

some previous thoughts on this are available in the archives.

actions do speak louder than words. At this stage anyway, there's a difference. Also, Falwell et al live & engage in a liberal society, even if they're fighting it along the way.
posted by mdn at 5:11 PM on November 8, 2002