Is there a way to add something to httpd.conf that forces php scripts in any directory with 777 permissions to render as plain text instead of being parsed? I can do it with individual .htaccess files, but I was hoping to save myself some trouble by just adding it to httpd.conf...

any ideas?

What method are you currently using in your .htaccess file?

AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .php