Why do fundies flounce?

[The Archivist]

In the thread about why we break up links to blogs here at FJ, several people responded that a lot of fundie bloggers will flounce as soon as they see FJ links in their traffic logs. I know this is a true and pretty frequent phenomenon, and I am FASCINATED but also confused by it.

I am confused that people who write blogs, though they may be personal in nature, supposedly out of some missionary zeal, would be so eager and ready to close up shop at the merest hint of disapproval. I know we can be harsh here, but seriously, some of the criticisms we level are really, really mild.

I'm curious to hear your theories/speculations about why this particular demographic wilts so easily under (often fair and non-abusive) criticism. Is it something to do with leading sheltered lives? Or not understanding how critical discourse works? Or what?

[Witsec1]

I think their sub-culture grooms women to be approval junkies.

[1004srs]

Perhaps they can't handle critical discourse.

[Linnea]

There's also the fundy persecution complex. Child Protective Services is just itching to take children away from their god-fearing parents, so when FJ calls them out on abusive childrearing practices, they figure they'd better hide the evidence.

[clibbyjo]

I think they want the recognition of FJ because then they got their "me persecuted by the meanies" badge. Face it, FJ snarking on them means they must be super holy and godly because we only snark on the best.(or,what we can find trolling around modesty sites at 2am :))Its is like winning a prize to them.Then they have an excuse to come talk to the scray FJ'ers, tell us we are mean and go private or whatever. I am sure all the flouncers still read here and I am also sure they just changed the name of their blogs or went private. I doubt anyone closed down for good.

[Deleted12]

I think they're often shocked at the idea that PEOPLE who are in PUBLIC can read their blogs.

It's a hard thing for a lot of people to handle about the internet. Look at all the people who have gotten into trouble because their boss saw a picture they posted on FB or the picture of them flashing their tits got passed around at school.

I think for a lot of these fundies they really don't GET the idea that their blog with pictures of them feeding the kids breakfast can be looked at by ANYONE, including FJ'ites, nutritional experts, CPS, pedophiles, or Fidel Castro. I think they flounce because all of a sudden they're like, "Oh shit, I am prancing around on a worldwide stage here."

[Guest Anonymous]

I think they want the recognition of FJ because then they got their "me persecuted by the meanies" badge. Face it, FJ snarking on them means they must be super holy and godly because we only snark on the best.(or,what we can find trolling around modesty sites at 2am :))Its is like winning a prize to them.Then they have an excuse to come talk to the scray FJ'ers, tell us we are mean and go private or whatever. I am sure all the flouncers still read here and I am also sure they just changed the name of their blogs or went private. I doubt anyone closed down for good.

Their egos and incomes are far too vested for any of them to close down their blogs for good. They just have their front doors closed for now.

[fundiefan]

I think they flounce because they can't cope with disagreement, differing views, strong opinions that are not theirs, or anything else that isn't sunshine and flowers. I don't think they are strong enough in their faith and need constant approval and cheers to tell them they're doing the right thing. When they get anyone other than the Christian cheer leading squad commenting or questioning them, they have to run and hide because they aren't capable of defending their position and believing regardless of what anyone else says.

If you are sure of your beliefs, values, actions and words, you will welcome opposing views and the opportunity to discuss your position, even with those who don't agree. If you are secure in who you are and the path you've chosen in life, you can get all kinds of stuff tossed at you and remain standing. I think the type of fundies who commonly flounce (the women) are simply too insecure to deal with differing views about their choices. They aren't confident enough in those choices to say 'whatever, we will have to agree to disagree'. They run & hide and claim the evil heathens on the Internet forced them to shut down as a form of persecution...which, to them is a way to convince themselves they are, of course, perfect Christian women otherwise evil others wouldn't torment them.

[dawbs]

I wonder if those who are secure in their beliefs flounce less?

I know, personally, if I state an opinion that I"m firm on and I'm questioned, I own it. I may say "piss off, I"m not discussing it because I know I'm right" and end discussion, but I own it. If I say something and then when I'm called on it, my mind starts reeling and I am challenged and start to doubt and question, I'll respond quite differently.

Since it's generally frowned-upon in fundie-circles to be a seeker/ask questions/etc, I'd have to imagine that floucing away from the questions has to be easier, in some ways, than admitting that your readership makes a point and you may have doubts/questions.

[emmiedahl]

I think the more secure ones are less likely to flounce. For example, Latisha vs Zsuzsu Pet. Latisha is obviously hungry for approval and doing this for her husband. ZZ is a piece of work, but you can tell she believes in her cause.

Many fundies probably start blogs as a business or encouragement tool. They fully expect to be preaching exclusively to the choir, and it is shocking when someone vehemently disagrees. The emotional impact of the dissent is too much to take.

Other fundies seem to be so sheltered that they honestly had no idea that someone could find their beliefs offensive. They also are flouncers; Heaven forbid we should encounter a different viewpoint!

[browngrl]

I think they flounce because they can't cope with disagreement, differing views, strong opinions that are not theirs, or anything else that isn't sunshine and flowers. I don't think they are strong enough in their faith and need constant approval and cheers to tell them they're doing the right thing. When they get anyone other than the Christian cheer leading squad commenting or questioning them, they have to run and hide because they aren't capable of defending their position and believing regardless of what anyone else says.

If you are sure of your beliefs, values, actions and words, you will welcome opposing views and the opportunity to discuss your position, even with those who don't agree. If you are secure in who you are and the path you've chosen in life, you can get all kinds of stuff tossed at you and remain standing. I think the type of fundies who commonly flounce (the women) are simply too insecure to deal with differing views about their choices. They aren't confident enough in those choices to say 'whatever, we will have to agree to disagree'. They run & hide and claim the evil heathens on the Internet forced them to shut down as a form of persecution...which, to them is a way to convince themselves they are, of course, perfect Christian women otherwise evil others wouldn't torment them.

THIS.

[emmiedahl]

We get annoyed by fundies coming here sometimes, but no one here is worried we will lose an argument or have to justify our viewpoints. Maybe to each other, but never to a fundie.

[The Archivist]

I also have to add a vote for delusional paranoia - at least in Candy's case. She has an interesting life history, and she's written in the past about being spied on and stalked (not related to blogging - she and her husband were working on "alternative energy technology" inventions, and The Man was apparently out to get them for that.) And I see her paranoia coming back into play anytime someone talks about her online - it's never criticism, it's STALKING. There's always a conspiracy behind everything, and the persecution complex is strong with this one.

[Buzzard]

We get annoyed by fundies coming here sometimes, but no one here is worried we will lose an argument or have to justify our viewpoints. Maybe to each other, but never to a fundie.

Because we value having a well founded and broadly researched opinion. Hearing from another FJ member may actually teach us something. To someone that wants to close off their world to that which can be lernt 'round the dining room table its horrific. That being said, we're fundie porn... the type that a man says "avert your eyes!", covers his eyes with his hand and crack his fingers to peek.

[Guest Anonymous]

We get annoyed by fundies coming here sometimes, but no one here is worried we will lose an argument or have to justify our viewpoints. Maybe to each other, but never to a fundie.

It would be hilarious though if we threatened to close the board down to the next troll that comes along.... :lol:

[Aurora]

It would be hilarious though if we threatened to close the board down to the next troll that comes along.... :lol:

Haha, yes wouldn't that be funny for a little while until they realized? "I shut down Free Jinger!!" :D

[Angri-la]

Maybe they flounce because it is so fancy in their faux Regency or Victorian Frocks? The swish of taffeta undergarments. The attention. It is for the attention and the sycophantic readers will beg them to re-open. I've seen the same nonsense with people back when FaceBook was "MyJournal".

"I'm going to take my ___ offline because____!"

"Noooooo....don't! How will I live without Candy telling me how wrong my life is!!!"

[iblpdetox]

The problem is with their core philosophy. They have adopted a mentality that says "my exclusive view of life is the only right perspective and this 'truth' must be proclaimed and readily accepted by everyone". And they often believe that by posting what they do, it will immediately cause a positive influence on those who read it.

The shock comes when those who read their writings become critical, because they cannot think outside their box of "my exclusive view of life is the only right perspective". Most of the time they haven't really thought through their perspective fully and they frankly don't know how to respond other than "I am accepting the truth by faith." Because their "faith" is being criticized, they feel "persecuted".

The blogs disappear or become private when either (1) they realize that they really don't have an answer to the criticism or (2) they fall back on the belief that they have an audience that appreciates them and they don't want to hear the negativity of the rest of the nay-sayers.

So coming back to their core philosophy: the fact that they shut down their blog may be a good sign if you want to affect change. Either the criticism will cause them to take a step back and think or it will cause them to grow stronger for a cause that will potentially crumble in the long run. In either case, people with this mentality have a LONG road to travel before they can change this philosophy. These little changes (like blogs shutting down) that you see can actually be viewed as small steps along the road to "recovery". Will they ever change? Potentially not, but anything that will cause them to take a step back and think is at least a small success in my book.

Just my two cents.

[Avalondaughter]

It's cool when the blogs treat FJ like a badge of honor. You know ZuZu does. There are fundie blogs that I know would LOVE to be discussed on FJ because they crave the attention. Those are the ones I would never ever bring up on FJ for that very reason.