AnoSexia fundamentosa

[arendt]

We need some shorthand that gets to the core of the pathology of fundamentalism in America today. I propose the term "anosexia".

Like anorexia, anoSexia is a body dysmorphia. The victim of this psychological disorder finds the natural sexual apetities of its body to be gross and ugly, and seeks to eliminate them.

Now, from what I hear, anorexia is a form of self-loathing; but the loathing is directed at the anorexic's own body. Anorexics only injure themselves. AnoSexics cause themselves psychological injury; but they also injure or kill other people. AnoSexics turn their self-loathing outwards, blaming other people for their problem. Sort of like if an anorexic bombed a McDonalds.

Along the way, the constant internal vigilance against the dreaded (but totally natural and healthy) sexual desire causes a change in brain chemistry. Anorexics actually get high on starving. That's why its so hard to get them to stop. AnoSexics move their sexual desire over into the category of "religious ecstasy". At that point, anoSexics form a perverse mutual support system, taking turns keeping up the self-hypnosis and projection.

Unlike anorexics, who really do enjoy starving, anoSexics are total hypocrites. Not a week goes by that we do not hear of some high-placed fundamentalist (a minister or a political office holder, always Republican) being exposed for pornography or child molestation or wife beating or adultery or being a closet homosexual. If an anorexic behaved like Ted Haggard, he would weigh about 300 pounds.

You can't call a person whose actions oppose ONLY people's sexual habits (but not mass killings, economic inequality, or environmental destruction) "religious". You can call them self-deluded perverts, power hungry mysogynists and homophobes. But you can't call these violent, hate-filled people Christians.

I invite you all to use the term.

arendt

[patrice]

1. This IS a useful line of effort.

I'm going to go to the OED on the prefix, ano-, though. I LIKE it, but I'm just fussy about things like that.

We absolutely DO need some "easy" efficient way of propogating this meme!

[Warpy]

2. You might be onto something

but the disorder is closer to bulimia.

People who deny the natural sex drive to the point of religious ecstasy tend to binge in secret (hence the number of the pious who have been caught doing all sorts of pervy things) and then purge by self mortification and marathon church sessions.

Anorexics eat as little as possible and then exercise to purge themselves of that particular sin. Bulimics gorge themselves and purge with laxatives and vomiting. While some of the pious might resemble anorexics and do marathon prayer sessions to purge themselves of sinful thought (and the only sin is sex), most of them are like those caught doing all sorts of amazing things with their and other people's equipment, only able to cope when they have sex binges followed by purging.

[arendt]

4. Your description is probably more accurate; but it isn't as good a neologism :-) n/t

[BlooInBloo]

3. You may want to consider submitting that to Urban Dictionary. The term is mostly untaken.

[patrice]

5. BTW, is there a "Framing" or "Meme" work group/forum here on the DU?

It would be good to come back now and then to check a full spectrum of rhetorical construction on all of the issues. However, this may be toooooo public a place to conduct such an effort.

[arendt]

6. front page kick n/t