by J. D. Campbell

Created on: September 19, 2008

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

Many of us have heard this mantra shouted across the playground as children. I, for one, have said it a few times myself. Typically, it is thrown up as a shield against the very things for which it claims no defense is needed. The truth is words can wound when wielded as weapons.

By themselves words are not necessarily detrimental. They merely take up space on paper or screen, or simply hang there in the air. It is not until with malicious intent a word is taken in hand, or lofted by lips that it becomes a missile of misery. At this point, even the most benign remark can become brutal.

For an example, let us examine the word "fundie". It is merely a shortened, or slang, version of the word fundamentalist, and is most of often used in relation to fundamentalist Christians. And this relation is usually derogatory in nature.

At first glance, fundie does not seem disparaging. After all, fundamentalism as defined by Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary is "a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental (or serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function) to Christian life or teaching." In other words, a fundamentalist is a person who believes that the Bible is integral in showing a person how to become, and act as, a Christian.

This definition does not sound critical. Most fundamentalist would be in agreement. Why then, is "fundie" offensive if it is, in and of itself, not so? It is merely a matter of usage. When was the last time you heard this particular phrase used in a complimentary fashion? Even a Christians who uses this word in application to himself would do so as a form of playful self-deprecation. It is offensive because it is meant to be so.

Why is this true? The majority of the people who would use this word in to offend have contempt for the idea that the Bible should be taken literally. Some would even suggest that to want to structure one's belief around the Bible at all is laughable, and worthy of ridicule. Essentially, it is an easy equation. Fundamentalism is stupid; therefore anyone who ascribes to it is an idiot as well.

Whether we agree or disagree with fundamentalism as a belief system, we certainly can concur that to equate idiocy with belief is an insulting attitude. Calling a person who believes the Bible should be taken literally a fundie is not different from how the early followers of Jesus were labeled with the term Christians, meaning "little Christs." They both take a word that could be construed as a compliment and use it instead as a form of mockery.

I maintain that a word is but a word. It holds no power of its own accord. However, when used as means of deliberate attack, a word or phrase can do much damage. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we chose not to insult one another, for whatever reason?

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