Fundamentalism Flashcards
What is fundamentalism?
Set of religious beliefs that have been watered down or under threat
Claims to go back to the fundamentals of the religion
(other versions of the religion are distorted)
What are some examples of fundamentalist groups?
Al Qaeda - Muslim group - Responsible for 9/11
Daesh - wanted theocracy (state with supreme rulers) - Paris attack
WestBoro Baptist church - hyper-calvinist hate group
What are the characteristics of fundamentalism?
Single sacred text - words of god - read literally
Followers have a common enemy (abortion/ secularisation/ sex before marriage)
Little opportunity to express grievances through legitimate politics - more likely in dictatorship
Lacking centralised authoritarian control- easier for alternative interpretations of religion to develop
Ready supply of potential recruits - gives something for people to identify with
What are the reasons for the appeal of fundamentalism?
Totalism - integrating faith into all areas of life
Personal transformation - it promises a direct spiritual experience
Grassroots involvement - ‘flattened hierarchy’, active involvement from groups
Certainty in a world of choice - appeals to those who seek a moral anchor in a world of unlimited choice
How is an authoritative sacred text related to fundamentalism?
Christians fundamentalists: every word of the bible is literally true and its truths are valid for all eternity
Text is without error and not open to questioning
How does an aggressive reaction relate to fundamentalism?
Aims to draw attention to the threat to their beliefs and values
Intended to shock, intimidate or cause harm
How do conspiracy theories relate to fundamentalism?
Attracted to the idea that powerful, hidden, evil forces and organisations are in control of human destiny
Many Christian and Islamic fundamentalists hold anti-sematic conspiracy theories that believe that Jews are conspiring to secure world domination
What does DAVIE say about fundamentalism?
Threat of modernity to traditional values leads to increased fundamentalism
Certainty and security against chaos of social change
Fundamentalism increasing as a result of globalisation and modernity as a clash of cultures
What does BRUCE say about fundamentalism and secularization?
Fundamentalism is caused by secularization
Decline of religion and modernization in which science and rationality are favoured, tend to undermine traditional faith
What reasons did BRUCE give for why fundamentalism is more likely to develop?
Religion has single sacred text which followers can argue
Religion lack centralized authoritarian control
Followers can common enemy (e.g. Muslim funda = US & Isreal)
Ready supply of potential recruits (unemployed, impoverished)
What does ALMOND say about the causes of fundamentalism?
Low levels of education
High levels of inequality
Displacement of people by war
Economic problems
Chance events (COVID)
What does ARMSTRONG say about fundamentalism in Islam?
Nothing in Islamic religion which leads to fundamentalist beliefs
Leaders were in favour of Westernization and modernization
Attempts to impose modernization too rapid without concern for the welfare of the poor caused fundamentalism
Extreme radical and fast social change causing fundamentalism
How can globalisation be linked to fundamentalism?
Lead to post-modernism and religious pluralism
Some didn’t want the change and were threatened
Led to fundamentalism
How can secularisation be linked to fundamentalism?
Some feel need even more to return to fundamental beliefs
Threat
Strengthens requirement to retain fundamental views
How can social change cause fundamentalism?
Beliefs are being watered down
Preserve traditional views
Fundamentalism
