religion in a global context: fundamentalism Flashcards
what is fundamentalism
- a form of religion that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture
- appeals to tradition and goes back to the past
- return to basic principles of their faith
- happens when traditional beliefs and values are threatened by modern society and globalisation
key features of fundamentalism
- authoritive text e.g. christian fundamentalists see their interpretation of the bible as true - historical facts
- intolerant of other views
- ‘us and them’ mentality
- aggressive reaction - use shock and intimidation and cause harm
- authoritive elders or clergy who interpret texts and give direction
- believe the last days will soon be upon us - all faithful will go to heaven
- attracted to conspiracy theories - powerful hidden evil forces
- use of modern technology - ironic, as they hate modern culture - use of internet to spread ideas and recruitment
- patriarchy - control of female sexuality, reproduction, social and economic roles
- prophecy
GRACE DAVIE - clashing of cultures
- says fundamentalism occurs when those who hold traditional views are threatened by modernity
- occurs because of a clash between modern society and traditional cultures
ANTHONY GIDDENS - reaction to cosmopolitanism
- argues fundamentalism is a reaction to globalisation and all the choices in lifestyle we now have
- fundamentalists believe that the nuclear family, gender and sexuality are all under threat
- GIDDENS sees cosmopolitism as open, tolerant, and reflects on, and modifies beliefs (reflexive thinking)
- cosmopolitanism sees lifestyles as a personal choice, not something that is dictated by religious authority
- fundamentalism is a reaction to this
ZYGMUNT BAUMAN - retreating
- argues postmodernism has brought about freedom and choice
- some people embrace these new freedoms
- however, others feel threatened and retreat into fundamentalist communities and are attracted to fundamentalisms claim of absolute truth
two criticisms of BEAUMAN
- exaggerates freedom in postmodern societies
- few people participate in religious fundamentalism
MANUEL CASTELLS - two responses to postmodernity
RESISTANCE IDENTITY - defensive reaction of those who feel threatened and retreat into fundamentalist communities
PROJECT IDENTITY - forward-thinking and engage with social movements such as feminism and environmentalism
STEVE BRUCE - monotheistic religions
- argues fundamentalism is confined to monotheistic religions (believe there is only one god)
- hinduism is unlikely to produce fundamentalism due to its polytheistic nature - allowing greater tolerance for differing views
STEVE BRUCE - two types of fundamentalists
- IN THE WEST
- reaction to change taking place within a society
- usually triggered by the liberal policies of modernising governments and aims to restore morality
- e.g. New Christian Right - IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
- reaction to change being imposed upon society from the outside
- triggered by modernisation and globalisation and western values being imposed by foreign capitalism
- aims to resist the outside influence of western consumerism
- e.g. Islamic revolution in Iran
example of fundamentalism in the west
THE NEW CHRISTIAN RIGHT
- strong links with the republican political party
- opposed to family diversity, abortion, homosexuality etc
- they believe god created the world as outlined in the book of genesis - want evolution banned from schools
an example of fundamentalism in a developing country
IRANIAN REVOLUTION
- led by Ayatollah Khomeini
- triggered by modernisation and globalisation
- western capitalist power had a large influence in Iran (1950s-1979) and western values were being forced upon the Iranian population
- fundamentalism in this country was a reaction and resistance to growing western dominance that compromised traditional ways of life
GRACE DAVIE - secular fundamentalism
- argues religious fundamentalism has provoked secular fundamentalist reactions
EXAMPLES:
- 2004: france banned the wearing of religious symbols in schools
- 2010: france banned the wearing of the veil in public
- secular fundamentalism is about preserving cultural identity and legitimates the exclusion of religious and cultural minorities
CONCLUSION: DAVIE argues religious and secular movements can be fundamentalist
SAMUAL P HUNTINGTON (1993) - clash of civilisation
- HUNTINGTON’s ‘clash of civilisation’ theory is that peoples cultural and religioud identities will be the primary source of conflict in todays society
- argued that future wars would be fought not between countries, but between cultures
- believes the west is under threat from Islam
