I usually feel better about myself when I can try to understand other's point of view, but when I talk that way, I don't get much attention.

People seem to react, pay attention better if I espouse extremist views, so I guess I do that when I'm feeling ignored or neglected.

But here on the Mudcat it doesn't work that way does it?

Fundamentalist ought to mean having certain fundamental principles, and using them as a foundation for what you do in life, and that doesn't seem a bad idea. The corollary of that would be that if what you were doing based on those principles didn't feel right you'd have another look to see whether there was something wrong with the foundations.

Unfortunately a lot of fundamentalists seem to have constructed jerry-built buildings on somewhat shaky foundations.

My experience with pro-life people matches Bagpuss's - I think there are some significant differences on the two sides of the Atlantic. The main effort of many pro-lifers I know is trying to provide support to make it easier for women to avoid having abortions they really don't want. That's definitely a moderate position, and one which is held in common with many people who believe there is a "right to choose".