religious fundamentalism

meaning

  • a system of briefs where the religious texts are interpreted entirely literally and provide a structure set of rules which the followers must live by

  • react against modernity and globalisation

characteristics of fundamentalism

  • appeal to tradition and often look back to the golden age

  • wish to return to the basics or fundamentalism of their religion

  • arises when beliefs are threatened or challenged by modern society

  • threat can composite eg capitalist globalisation

  • authoritative sacred text

  • us and them mentality

  • aggressive reaction

  • use of modern technology patriarchy

  • prophecy

  • conspiracy theories

authoritative sacred texts

  • every word in the religious texts are literally true

  • people take it literally

  • the text is inerrant

  • accept

  • intolerant of other views

  • ignore other interpretations

us and them mentality

  • separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to compromise

aggressive reaction

  • reactions are aggressive

  • intended to shock, intimidate and cause harm

use of modern technology

  • oppose modern culture

  • see as corrupted by secularism, liberalism and materialism and promiscuity

  • however their use technology eg internet and televangelism and military weaponry

patriarchy

  • Fundamentalists favour where they can control women’s sexuality and reproductive powers

prophecy

  • proclaim that the last days are upon us

  • eg transported to heaven when we die

conspiracy theories

  • attracted to the idea of powerful, hidden, evil forces and organisations

  • world domination

fundamentalism and modernity

  • threatened by modernity

  • defend themselves against it

  • clash between modernity and traditional cultures

  • Giddens - reaction to globalisation which undermines traditional social norms eg family gender and sexuality

  • faced with choice, uncertainty and risk

  • dogmatic briefs

ao3

  • ignores fundamentalism in the west

cosmopolitanism

  • Giddens

  • definition - embraces modernity in a modern world

  • tolerant of other new ideas and reflect and modify based on them

  • use rational arguments and evidence rather than appealing to sacred texts

  • personal choice rather than something prescribed

  • spirituality emphasises the pursuit of personal meaning and self improvement rather than submission to authority

responses to postmodernity

  • Bauman

  • fundamentalism is a response to living in postmodernity

  • brings freedom of choice, uncertainty and awareness of risk

  • embrace the new freedom

  • attracted to fundamentalism

Castlles

  • resistance identify - defend traditional values when they feel threatened

  • project identity - forward looking, engage with social movements such as feminism and environmentalism

ao3

  • too sharp difference between cosmopolitanism and fundamentalism

  • ignores group diversity

  • over generalises

  • lumps all together, ignore differences