Religious Fundamentalism

Religious Fundamentalism:

• Contradictory argument to the idea of growing secularisation

• Almond (2003) defined fundamentalism as 'a pattern of religious militancy’

• Fundamentalism is direct opposition to secularisation- true believers vs the other

What is Fundamentalism?

• Sacred text- literal translations are applied to govern the behaviour of followers

• True believers vs the other- divisive mentality pitting followers against non-believers

• Authoritative personalities in leadership

• Often patriarchal control- e.g Taliban, New Christian Right

Davie on Fundamentalism:

• The threat of modernity to traditional values leads to increased fundamentalism

• Certainty and security against the chaos of social change

• Fundamentalism increasing as a result of globalisation and modernity as a clash of cultures

Giddens on Fundamentalism:

• Giddens argues that globalisation has led to insecurity

• Religion offers simple answers to complex questions through blind faith

• Control and certainty offered by fundamentalism is an attractive option

Giddens and Cosmopolitanism:

• Reflexive thinking of late modernity has caused individuals to question religion

• Globalisation has increased acceptance of diverse views and lifestyles- the threat to traditional religion

• Individual morality and creased choice- rather than authoritarian beliefs

Bruce on Fundamentalism:

• Fundamentalism is largely restricted to monotheistic religions

• Globalisation is a challenge to the authority of the ‘one truth’ or ‘God’s will’

• Polytheistic religions are more open to changes as no one singular truth about the world

• Global divide in fundamentalism- Christian fundamentalism is a reaction to social changes that occur organically

• Other forms of fundamentalism are reactions to forms of enforced social changes- cultural imperialism

Literalism:

• A literal interpretation of the religious text. They contain the answers to all of life’s important questions and guide you on how to live your life.

Evaluations:

• Castells (2010) supports Bruce’s idea of fundamentalism as a reaction to cultural imperialism- resistance to identity

• Armstrong (2000) Fundamentalism is contemporary rather than reactionary- embraces elements of globalisation

• Rise of fundamentalism in times of rapid social change provides evidence that it provides certainty in times of chaos