Religious Fundamentalism

Question 1

What is religious fundamentalism?

Answer 1

Using the literal interpretations of religion to return to tradition

Question 2

Give an example of a religious fundamentalist group that expresses its views politically?

Answer 2

New Christian Right (USA)

Question 3

These groups emerged as a response to what? (4)

Answer 3

1. Western wars on the Middle East (Iraq)
2. Liberal values (homosexuality, liberation of W)
3. Globalisation - mass migration
4. No core values

Question 4

What does ‘Boko Haram’ mean?

Answer 4

‘Against Western Education’

Nigeria

Question 5

3 types of Islamic fundamentalist groups

Answer 5

1. ISIS (Syria)
2. Taliban (Afganistan)
3. Boko Haram (Nigeria)
   DON’T GROUP THEM ALL TOGETHER

Question 6

Are all religious fundamentalist groups violent?

Answer 6

NO!

e.g. Jaini (Hindu)

Question 7

Give an example of a non-islamic fundamentalist group

Answer 7

West borough Baptist Church

Christian fundamentalist group, USA

Question 8

How do fundamentalist groups want to get to tradition?

Answer 8

Argues for change, back to tradition
BUT use internet/ modern technology to mobilise (get message out)
e.g. Taliban had 40,000 Twitter accounts

Question 9

How many Twitter accounts did the Taliban have at one point?

Answer 9

40,000

Question 10

What are conservative religious movements used as? (2)

Answer 10

1. Defensive reaction to modernisation + globalisation

2. Create ‘resistant IDs’ based on traditional doctrines (Castells 1996)

Question 11

What has globalisation led to?

Answer 11

Westernisation

Conservative religions provide a cultural defence to ‘westoxification’

Question 12

Give a contemporary example of ‘resistant IDs’

Answer 12

France - banned burka in 2011 from public places

Burkini acts as a way to resist being Westen

Question 13

What does Bruce suggest that religious fundamentalism is?

Answer 13

Rational response of traditionally religious people who feel their IDs + religious values = being threatened
e.g Islamic fundamentalism = rational means of defending traditional Islamic beliefs being threatened by Western cultural imperialism

Question 14

How has the New Christian Right (USA) been influential?

Answer 14

Has been key in getting the teaching of the theory of evolution banned in some schools

Question 15

What is cultural imperialism?

Answer 15

A culture that sees itself as being above others

Question 16

What is the worlds largest religion?

Answer 16

Christianity

Question 17

What is the worlds 2nd largest religion?

Answer 17

Islam

BUT if the present trends continue, it could become the biggest by mid-21st century

Question 18

In 2008, how many Muslims were undertaking the hajj?

Answer 18

Over 2.5 million

hajj = annual pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca

Question 19

What does Giddens argue has become paramount in maintaining peace?

Answer 19

Religious tolerance

e.g schools are encouraged to teach about other religions (largely failed)