I have to admit that before I went to uni (1994) I really didn't think people who thought like Phelps, Falwell, and all the other extreme fundy gang, existed, I thought they were caricatures.
The thing is, in the UK this type of fundy Xian, and there are some, is very low-key, and I think unless you are involved in Chrsitianity in some way or are a student of religion you may not even be aware of them at all.
What is it like in everyday America, do these people really get taken seriously by many people, are they only 'background noise', or are they seen as freak show material?
Brian.