[tpaine]

Now "fundamentalist" is used to designate anybody of any group who sincerely believes the published doctrines of the group (fundamentalist Democrat, fundamentalist Druid, even fundamentalist Darwinist)

--- but with the pejorative connotation that the individual is also self-righteous and up-tighteous, scorns rational discussion, lusts for the coercive power of the State to advance his cause

Let's retire "fundamentalist" and find a more acccurate terms, shall we?

Well, when 'whatever you call them' are collectively promoting a cause which is dangerous to Constitutional society or detrimental to the religious traditions they claim to be preserving, -- it's hard to find a non-pejorative term for them, imo.

I don't ask that you abstain from using pejorative words for bloody-handed fanatics.
I only ask you not to call them "fundamentalists."

I'm not insisting. I merely posted a link to what I considered a clarification of the issue.

It tends to give thousands of innocent, peaceful fundamentalists (i.e. normal religious folk like your practicing Jewish and Christian neighbors--- and others --- ) a bad name.

We aren't discussing normal 'fundamentalists' here. -- 'Radicals' differ from normal people. - Any term we use will sound pejorative to someone.
-- For instance, I happen to be a fundamentalist on our US Constitution.
If someone finds that stance 'radical', - tough.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"...I happen to be a fundamentalist on our US Constitution. If someone finds that stance 'radical', - tough."

Good for you! Really! I'd include the Declaration of Independence in there, too. Seems self-evident to me.