fundamentalism

• What is fundamentalism

  appeal to tradition- they seek return to the basics or fundamentals of their faith.
• Western fundamentalism

  -develops as a reaction to changes within society, especially the trend towards diversity and secular choices

  -Bruce- uses the example of the New Christian Right in the USA which has developed as a response to family diversity, sexual permissiveness, gender equality, secular education and the privatisation of religion

  -They aim to restore religion to a public role where they can shape laws and morals
• Third world fundamentalism

  -seen as a reaction to change being thrust upon a society from outside. It is often triggered by Westernisation imposed by foreign capital or local elites supported by the West

  -reaction to the states attempts to privatise religion

  -Bruce - Islamic Revolution in Iran is an example of this
• Secular fundamentalism

  -Davie- First Phase (18c –1960’s) Enlightenment philosophy held optimistic secular belief in progress based on science and reason

  -Second phase (1970’s +) Enlightenment has come under attack due to growing pessimism and uncertainty caused by globalisation and environmental issues. This has led to a rise in nationalism and anti-religious sentiment
• CoF- Literalism

  a literal interpretation of religious text. They contain the answers to all life’s important questions and gives directions on how to live your life.
• CoF- them and us mentality

  separateness from the rest of the world, they are right, everyone else is wrong. Davie –seek to establish control in chaos
• CoF- modern technology

  although the groups are against modern society they tend to use modern technology to achieve their aims e.g. social media
• CoF- patriarchy

  Hawley- groups tend to want to control women’s sexuality as well as their social and economic roles.
• CoF - prophecy

  particularly with Christian groups due to belief in “end of days” and second coming of Christ
• CoF - conspiracy

  many Christian and Islamic groups hold anti-sematic views believing the Jews are conspiring to secure world domination
• Causes- Giddens

  -Globalisation which undermines traditional social norms concerning the nuclear family, sexuality, abortion etc.

  -cosmopolitanismrefers to a way of thinking that embraces modernity, is open to alternative views and modifies beliefs based on new ideas
• causes - Bruce - Monotheism and fundamentalism

  -fundamentalism is a unique feature of monotheic religions due to the fact that they have a single text from which God’s will is given.
• Causes- Bauman- Postmodernity

  -too much choice can cause uncertainty and heightened awareness of risk.

  -In this situation some will embrace the freedom whilst others are attracted to fundamentalism
• Causes- Castells - responses to fundamentalism

  -resistance identity- a defensive reaction of those that feel threatened and retreat to fundamentalism

  -project identity- response of the forward thinking who engage with social movements e.g. environmentalism and feminism
• Evaluation- Beckford

  -ignores hybrid movements

  -Fixate on fundamentalism and ignore the impact of globalisation on religions such as Catholicism.

  -Giddens ignores differences between fundamentalism groups

  -Giddens doesn’t consider a return to tradition as a reflexive rather than a defensive action
• Evaluation- Haynes

  -Islamic fundamentalism isn’t always a reaction against globalisation but a reaction to local elites failing to deliver on promises to improve the standard of living