Fundamentalism

Characteristics of Fundamentalism Traditional Conservative Return to FUNDAMENTALS of faith. Fundamentalism arises in societies where traditional values and beliefs are being THREATENED.

E.g: Christian Fundamentalism Bible stories are LITERALLY TRUE Stories are for ALL time. Bible answers all of the important questions of life.

KEY FEATURES OF FUNDAMENTALISM

Bruce (2000) Fundamentalism occurs in Monotheistic religions: Monotheistic (One God). JUDAMISM CHRISTIANITY ISLAM

BRUCE (2000) HINDUISM is regarded by the world as polytheistic… Many different forms of HINDUISM

BRUCE: Hinduism: No one single TEXT.

ALDRIDGE (2013) NO text speaks for itself, it requires interpretation. FUNDAMENTALISTS interpret religion in the way they want to.

2) US & THEM Fundamentalists cut themselves off from people / society around them. DAVIE (2013): Fundamentalists create their own little islands of ‘certainty’ around themselves.

AGGRESSIVE REACTIONS Fundamentalists justify violent reactions by trying to show how others are attacking their faith.

USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY: At their core, fundamentalist movements abhor ‘modern culture’ ….BUT THEY USE IT! Gabriel Almond, R. Scott Appleby and Emmanuel Sivan (2003) : The New Christian Right They note it is through the use of technology that fundamentalists collaborate (online) in order to spread their messages.

'demonstration effect'. This is where people copy behaviours they see shown on the media, such as some suicide bombings. Media can give ‘lone fundamentalists ‘ideas’ of how to carry out terror acts in the name of religion.

PATRIARCHY & FUNDAMENTALISM HAWLEY (1994): Fundamentalists interpret the scriptures in such a way that women are subjected to excessive control of their sexuality and reproductive powers. Womens roles both socially and economically are timeless. HOW CAN WE RELATE RACHEL RINALDO (2010) AND PIETY MOVEMENTS TO THIS?

6) PHROPHECY Fundamentalists try to portray how the teachings of their faith are still relevant to today and contemporary events. For example, many Christians believe many messianic prophecies will be fulfilled with the Second Coming of Christ, though some Christians believe that all Messianic prophecies have already been fulfilled. CAN WE THINK OF ANYOTHER RELGIOUS PROPHECIES? DO SOME EXTRA RESEARCH ON THIS AND ADD YOUR OWN FINDINGS TO THE EXAMPLE GIVEN HERE.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES. Fundamentalists believe in CONSPIRACY THEORIES. E.G. Jews are believed to be conspiring to secure domination of the world, at the expense of Christian and Muslim believers.

TWO FUNDAMENTALISMS BRUCE (2000) All fundamentalisms have the same charachteristics…BUT the way in which they originate can be very different from eachother.

FIRST WORLD FUNDAMENTALISM In 'first world' countries, such as the USA, modernisation has directly challenged traditional religious belief.

New Christian Right BRUCE – Again… NCR against family diversity Against abortion Oppose sexual freedom and permissiveness. Traditional roles for women Want the bible to infiltrate politics.

Modernisation imposed on non western countries It has been shown that Fundamentalism occurs in these non western societies as a direct result of being dictated to by other parts of the world. CASE STUDY OF THIS IRAN (SEE HANDOUT) This is an Important case study that you need to know for the A2 exam.

FUNDAMENTALISM & COSMOPOLITANISM: Tolerant of the views and opinions of others. Adapt and change with the society around them. Giddens calls this regular adaptation ‘reflexive thinking’. People justify their opinions and beliefs by using rational arguments and reasoned thinking. Lifestyle depends on ones own personal choice rather than an external, authoritative figure dictating this. Cosmopolitan religion and spirituality is about finding meaning for oneself and self help/improvement – NOT – submission to authority.

POSTMODERNITY & RELIGION Due to ‘pick and mix culture’ and what is known as a ‘spiritual supermarket’… Madeline Bunting there is too much to choose from. This means that fundamentalism is a response to the fear that their religion may be wiped out. 

Zygmunt BAUMAN (1992) Fundamentalism is primarily a response to living in a postmodern world. Our western postmodern society brings about a greater freedom of choice, uncertainty and a heightened awareness of risk. UNWANTED CHOICE/ CONFUSION

Fundamentalism ALIENATION (MARX) ANOMIE (DURKEHIM) NOMOS (BERGER)? Write a paragraph relating these words all together.

Manuel Castells 1998 2 responses to POSTMODERNITY THER FIRST RESPONSE: Resistant Identity This is a defensive reaction of those who feel threatened by the pick and mix/ spiritual supermarket that is on offer. These people retreat into fundamentalist communities.

Castells Continued Project Identity THE SECOND RESPONSE: Those that don’t turn to fundamentalist means to make thioer voices heard. Project Identity This is a response of those people who accept the current postmodern world and who look to the future and engage with social movements such as feminism and environmentalism to bring about more positive change.