monotheism & fundamentalism

aqa a level sociology - beliefs in society - religion in a global context - monotheism & fundamentalism

what does Bruce see as the main cause of fundamentalism?

the perception that today’s globalising world threatens their beliefs

what does Bruce say regarding fundamentalism & monotheism?

it is confined to monotheistic religion

why is fundamentalism confined to monotheism?

they are based on the notion of God’s will as revealed through a single authoritative text which is believed to be the actual word of God and contains specific rules

why is fundamentalism unlikely to occur in polytheistic religion?

there is much more scope for different interpretations so there is no overriding truth

what are the possible origins for fundamentalism?

• changes in their own society e.g., in the West

• changes being thrust upon a society from outside e.g., in the third world

how does fundamentalism come about in the West?

• change within society

• especially trends towards diversity and choice

• e.g., New Christian Right opposes abortion, divorce, etc.

• aims to reassert true religion

• restore religion to a public role

how does fundamentalism come about in the third world?

• reaction to changes being thrust upon a society from outside

• e.g., Islamic Revolution, Iran

• triggered by modernisation or globalisation

• involves resistance to the state’s attempts to sideline it