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Bible thumper - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Bible thumper stereotype.

Evoking the image of a vocal and zealous preacher, one who might literally thump a Bible for emphasis while preaching.

Bible thumper (plural Bible thumpers)

  1. (derogatory) A Christian fundamentalist or overzealous evangelical Christian.

    • 1870, J. Ashworth, “Old Ab'.”, in Strange Tales from Humble Life‎[1], Manchester: Tubbs and Brook, page 253:

      Zeal and knowledge have here a wide field ; the calm, thoughtful logician ; the cold, phlegmatic reasoner ; the cautious, pathetic pleader ; the shouting, stamping Bible thumper ; all have their mission, all have their followers and admirers...

    • 1900 June 16, Joseph Paul, “Lord Roberts in Times of Peace”, in The Standard‎[2], volume 47, number 42, Chicago: Goodman & Dickerson, page 7:

      The terms "Blue Light," "Holy Joe" and "Bible Thumper" began to lose some of their venom ; religion in the army was respected.

    • 1984, Anthony West, H.G. Wells: Aspects of a Life‎[3], London: Hutchinson, →ISBN, →OL, page 126:

      But in spite of the antics of its Bible thumpers and its boobocracy, my father was unable to stay mad at the United States for long.