Wk8

Question 1

1. What characterizes fundamentalism, and how does it differ from orthodox religiosity and traditionalism?

Answer 1

1. Characteristics of Fundamentalism:
   
   • Characterization: Rejection of secularization, emphasis on literal interpretation of scripture.
   • Differences: Differs from orthodox religiosity and traditionalism by rejecting modern secular society and holding conservative views.

Question 2

2. According to Robert Bellah, what commonality does fundamentalism share with communism, and how does its focus on an idealized past distinguish it from a utopian future?

Answer 2

2. Robert Bellah’s View on Fundamentalism:
   
   • Commonality with Communism: Attracts people similarly to communism.
   • Distinguishing Focus: Focuses on an idealized past rather than a utopian future.

Question 3

3. What factors contribute to the disillusionment with modern secular society, as explained in the notes on fundamentalism?

Answer 3

3. Factors Contributing to Disillusionment:
   
   • Economic disappointments of modernization (e.g., unemployment, deprivation).
   • Erosion of traditional morality and identity.

Question 4

4. Provide examples of fundamentalist movements mentioned in the notes, such as the rise of the New Christian Right in the US and the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East.

Answer 4

4. Examples of Fundamentalist Movements:
   
   • New Christian Right in the US.
   • Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East.

Question 5

5. What role does fundamentalism play in providing refuge, identity, direction, and organization in the face of economic crises and powerlessness in modern secular society?

Answer 5

5. Role of Fundamentalism in Providing Refuge:
   
   • Offers financial and emotional refuge.
   • Provides identity, direction, organization in the face of economic crises and powerlessness.

Question 6

7. How does Islamic fundamentalism, particularly represented by the Muslim Brotherhood, emphasize the rejection of Western liberalism and the vision of a united Islamic community (umma)?

Answer 6

7. Islamic Fundamentalism - Muslim Brotherhood:
   
   • Emphasis on rejection of Western liberalism.
   • Vision of a united Islamic community (umma).
   • Formed in 1926, focused on preserving the umma.
   • Characterizes the contemporary world as Jahiliyya (ignorance and barbarism).

Question 6

6. In the context of Christian fundamentalism, describe the key characteristics and activities of the New Christian Right in the US, including its ties with the Republican Party and campaigns against perceived moral decline.

Answer 6

6. New Christian Right in the US:
   
   • Ties with the Republican Party.
   • Moral Majority organization led by Jerry Falwell.
   • Campaigns against perceived moral decline.
   • Emphasis on strict discipline of children.
   • Rejects secular claims contradicting the Bible.

Question 7

8. What significant events in the Middle East, such as the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the Salafi movement, have contributed to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and associated ideologies?

Answer 7

8. Contributions to Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism:
   
   • Iranian Revolution in 1979 brought fundamentalist Shia Islam to power.
   • Salafi movement associated with Saudi Arabian Wahhabi movement contributes to Jihadi ideologies.