Poe's Law
Similar to Murphy's Law, Poe's Law concerns internet debates, particularly regarding religion or politics.
"Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."
In other words, No matter how bizzare, outrageous, or just plain idiotic a parody of a Fundamentalist may seem, there will always be someone who cannot tell that it is a parody, having seen similar REAL ideas from real religious/political Fundamentalists.
"Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."
In other words, No matter how bizzare, outrageous, or just plain idiotic a parody of a Fundamentalist may seem, there will always be someone who cannot tell that it is a parody, having seen similar REAL ideas from real religious/political Fundamentalists.
The following is an actual Internet post to Biblically defend a flat Earth:
"All I was saying was that either the earth is flat, and the bible is correct, or the earth is round, and the bible is incorect, i'm going to study the issue more and deside for myself which route I want to take. Either Atheist evolutionist, who agrees with all of mainstream sciences, or flat earth litteral bible believer.
I'm leaning toward being an atheist, because if I can't believe the bible to be completly litteraly true, then I can't believe Jesus when he speaks about heaven, etc..
That would make the moon landing a fake, and pretty much all of modern science false..."
Response:
"That's it, I'm claiming Poe's Law on this guy."
"All I was saying was that either the earth is flat, and the bible is correct, or the earth is round, and the bible is incorect, i'm going to study the issue more and deside for myself which route I want to take. Either Atheist evolutionist, who agrees with all of mainstream sciences, or flat earth litteral bible believer.
I'm leaning toward being an atheist, because if I can't believe the bible to be completly litteraly true, then I can't believe Jesus when he speaks about heaven, etc..
That would make the moon landing a fake, and pretty much all of modern science false..."
Response:
"That's it, I'm claiming Poe's Law on this guy."
Poe's Law by Nathan Poe September 4, 2008
Poe's Corollary
Fundamentalist: "God killed all of the babies and little kids in the Flood because he loves them all."
Normal Person #1: "All right, I'm calling Poe's Law."
Normal Person #2: "Nope, this nut is for real. Poe's Corollary."
Normal Person #1: "All right, I'm calling Poe's Law."
Normal Person #2: "Nope, this nut is for real. Poe's Corollary."
Poe's Corollary by Sleeker August 17, 2008
Poe Dameron
Poe Dameron by cemeritus May 13, 2023
Poe's Paradox
In any fundamentalist group where Poe's Law applies, a paradox exists where any new idea (or person) sufficiently fundamentalist to be accepted by the group is likely to be so ridiculous that it risks being rejected as a parody (or parodist).
Conservapedia: "Reasonable Explanations for Atheism - Moral depravity, ... poor relationship with father, ... scientism."
New Conservative member (who honestly believes this): "They could also be demons sent by Satan to try to convert our children so they'll go to hell."
Conservapedia: "You're not funny. Parodies have no place here."
Atheist member: "HAH! Poe's Paradox!"
New Conservative member (who honestly believes this): "They could also be demons sent by Satan to try to convert our children so they'll go to hell."
Conservapedia: "You're not funny. Parodies have no place here."
Atheist member: "HAH! Poe's Paradox!"
Poe's Paradox by Sleeker February 15, 2009
Poe Slaw
Slightly acidic word salad containing shreds of truth that is intended to be sarcasm or satire even though it is known to be a position that is seriously held by some persons.
Derived from Poe's Law
Derived from Poe's Law
Poe Slaw by Edgar Allen Crow July 6, 2019
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