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scooper
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Subject: What is Fundamentalism?
First, let's get one thing straight. Fundamentalism is not ancient. It is a modern reaction by various believers, who think themselves orthodox, to protect their orthodoxy from encroachment by modernity. For example, American Protestant Fundamentalism began in earnest with the publication of a series of pamphlets called The Fundamentals in 1917.
As such, Fundamentalism insists on rejection of the times in which it is set. When that is as far as it goes, Fundamentalism must live with its own internal conflict, but it leaves the rest of us in peace. All too often, however Fundamentalists externalize their inner conflict -- they demand that the rest of us resolve their conflict between their beliefs and the evidence of modernity by joining with them (or submitting to them) in rejecting that evidence.
And when they do that, they engage in what Karen Armstrong calls "The Battle for God," in her book by that title. The battle can be a war of words and ballots -- one thinks of the struggles to teach Creationism in Kansas, for example -- or it can involve physical intimidation, murder, and terrorism -- from bombing abortion clinics to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Militant, violent Fundamentalism is deeply narcissistic -- the rest of us are made to pay for the Fundamentalist's problems. It is also deeply idolatrous -- God is remade (via selective literalism in interpreting scriptures) to suit the Fundamentalist's mental (graven) Image. The Fundamentalist's obsession with attempting to please -- or getting his/her society to please -- this Image drives the Fundamentalist's inner rage, and tendency to external violence.
This is different from Orthodoxy. The Orthodox can be at peace. The Fundamentalist is fundamentally at war, both with reality and with the rest of us.
As such, Fundamentalism insists on rejection of the times in which it is set. When that is as far as it goes, Fundamentalism must live with its own internal conflict, but it leaves the rest of us in peace. All too often, however Fundamentalists externalize their inner conflict -- they demand that the rest of us resolve their conflict between their beliefs and the evidence of modernity by joining with them (or submitting to them) in rejecting that evidence.
And when they do that, they engage in what Karen Armstrong calls "The Battle for God," in her book by that title. The battle can be a war of words and ballots -- one thinks of the struggles to teach Creationism in Kansas, for example -- or it can involve physical intimidation, murder, and terrorism -- from bombing abortion clinics to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Militant, violent Fundamentalism is deeply narcissistic -- the rest of us are made to pay for the Fundamentalist's problems. It is also deeply idolatrous -- God is remade (via selective literalism in interpreting scriptures) to suit the Fundamentalist's mental (graven) Image. The Fundamentalist's obsession with attempting to please -- or getting his/her society to please -- this Image drives the Fundamentalist's inner rage, and tendency to external violence.
This is different from Orthodoxy. The Orthodox can be at peace. The Fundamentalist is fundamentally at war, both with reality and with the rest of us.
Because there is more to Religion than pleasing your Imaginary Friend.