What is the definition of "fundamentalism"
Dragons Bay
08-09-2005, 05:02
Everyone is saying that "fundamentalism" is bad, but I still have yet to read any proper definition of what fundamentalism is. Another question: What's the difference between fundamentalism and extremism? And another question: why is fundamentalism bad?
Dragons Bay
08-09-2005, 05:03
http://www.m-w.com
1: (if capitalised) Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b : the beliefs of this movement c : adherence to such beliefs
2 : a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
Well, go on.
1: (if capitalised) Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b : the beliefs of this movement c : adherence to such beliefs
2 : a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
Well, go on.
Go on what? Take your poorly executed bait? No, thanks.
Dragons Bay
08-09-2005, 05:08
Go on what? Take your poorly executed bait? No, thanks.
:(
Economic Associates
08-09-2005, 05:09
:(
I'll see your :( and raise you a :rolleyes:
Soviet Haaregrad
08-09-2005, 05:10
Extremists will violently enforce their beliefs, not all fundamentalists will.
Religious fundamentalism is still dangerous because when enough of them get voted in, or when they lead a revolution, you'll see a steady (or more likely immediate in the case of revolution) move toward theocracy.
Greedy Pig
08-09-2005, 05:21
In my definition,
I think Fundamentalism would be people believing either in ideals or religion at the really core with very little compromise. I think you can say Phelps and some of those really fundie christians in US would be that. They hate gays as it's an abomination without thought for their feelings (but they haven't went the next step of crucifying gays), and also like Muslim leaders over here, jailing muslim girlfriends and boyfriends for kissing in public or holding hands in public if their unless they are married.
Fanaticism, would be the imposing of one's religion or ideal. If you don't believe the same as them, they'll kill you or threaten you to follow them. No compromise whatsoever. If your not one of them, your lower than dogs.
The Nazz
08-09-2005, 05:56
Everyone is saying that "fundamentalism" is bad, but I still have yet to read any proper definition of what fundamentalism is. Another question: What's the difference between fundamentalism and extremism? And another question: why is fundamentalism bad?
I think, based on the definitions that have been given thus far, you can say that extremism in religion is a subset of fundamentalism--as long as we're sticking solely to a discussion of religion. After all, it's possible to be an extremist in about anything except moderation. :)
Religious fundamentalism in terms of Christianity usually involves the belief that the Bible is the literal word of God (aka Jehovah, Lord, Adonai, Yahweh, and depending on the sect, a trinity including Jesus and the Holy Spirit), that the Bible is infallible, and that it should be adhered to with varying degrees of absolutism. One of the downsides of fundamentalism is that it generally also carries the belief that the particular sect has the only true reading of the Bible, and since there are a large number of fundamentalist sects, this causes some occasional animosity between them.
And when a sect divides and a splinter group branches off and isolates itself, you usually wind up with extremism. The kind of extremism that worries people is the kind that manifests itself violently--abortion clinic bombers, for instance, since we're talking about christianity. You also have situations like Jim Jones in Guyana--classic case of extremism finding a bad end.
New Granada
08-09-2005, 06:04
The inestiambly quotable Nietzschean H L Mencken wrote, I believe:
A fundementalist won't change his mind and won't change the subject.
The key to being a fundementalist, I think, is to hold some set of beliefs as correct without regard to any possible considerations.
This is basically unreasonable, and it very often times leads to dishonesty because it debases the idea of truth.
For this reason, I find it extremely difficult to trust fundementalists and consider them on par with other consummate liars.