Religious fundamentalism Flashcards
It is a belief in a literal truth of a religion:
Fundamentalists are traditionalists who seek to return to the basics or fundamentals of their faith. They will not compromise in their interpretation of a religion. Eg, believing every word of the bible
believe that a religion must not be diverted from its authentic traditional belief. They are anti modernists and they object to the way in which they think their religious belief is becoming diluted
It is a belief that does not engage in open debate:
avoid contact with those who may challenge their views or who may think differently. Therefore, they are intolerant of others and will refer to dogma rather than engage in rational argument eg. In defending a belief in creationism against evolution they will reject scientific knowledge.
believe their religion has a monopoly of the truth. They view
their religion as being the only valid belief system. They believe their religion is the true path to salvation. Fundamentalists believe all other religions are wrong as they provide the only way to gain entry to heaven.
It is a belief that rejects the openness of cosmopolitan society:
Bruce said fundamentalism is a rational response by people who are threatened by cosmopolitanism and the changes it will bring to their traditional religious way of life. Cosmopolitanism is a term that describes the attitudes of people in western society. Cosmopolitanism is about being open to new ideas, being tolerant of different views (no monopoly of the truth) and changing views in the light of new information. It favours a belief in relativism. (no absolute truth)
cosmopolitanism is the opposite of the rigidity of fundamentalism and fundamentalists regard cosmopolitanism as the ‘enemy’
