What is Religious Fundamentalism?
This is a belief in the need to follow and return to tradition values and practices, usually
involving the literal translation and belief in religious text.
These beliefs provide a moral code for life.
● It exists within most religions ● It is a fairly modern
phenomenon, that has grown
● The most extreme expression of dramatically in the past 30
religious belief years.
Fundamentalism can lead to violence, when fundamentalists value
their beliefs above tolerance of those who do not share them.
↑ Can overcome any respect or compassion for others,
including basic human values of preserving life Characteristics of
(E.g. bombing of abortion clinics in the fundamentalist groups
Reasons why an USA, attacks on the world trade
1) A call for a return to tradition
increase in religions centre)
The destruction of traditional ways
fundamentalism has (including the decline of religious
been seen: values) has lead to social problems
and moral decay and corruption
- Globalisation
Ideas and alternative belief systems can spread across the globe Beliefs - 2) A call for a return to certainty
more easily, which offers people alternatives, and contradicts existing In a modern global society, there is religious diversity however they
beliefs, especially through social media Religious
believe that returning to traditional ways is a return to a certainty and
Fundamentalism purity of their religious beliefs
- Religious pluralism
There is greater acceptance of alternative beliefs 3) A call for a return to community
Fundamentalists believe that communities must be reasserted, and that
- Secularisation only by doing this will tradition be re-established.
There is an increasingly a decline in religious beliefs
and explanations, with science and technology
The New Christian They also believe that this would solve some of the problems
Right associated with modern life.
now dominating
4) The sanctification of politics
Politics is increasingly separate Islamic fundamentalism in Iran and Christian fundamentalists in
from religion and as a They argue the USA both argue that religion should play a central role in
result, more liberal that… politics. Religious values should affect political decisions and
laws are passed. They are typically very wealthy White American how the state itself should operate
Protestants in very large amounts, who publicise
5) High levels of engagement
and promote their more extreme views in the USA, They argue that God
Generally, members seem to be more
even through methods of brainwashing. intends for humans to
committed and intensely involved than those
They reject more liberal and are instead strongly live in heterosexual
who support mainstream movements. This is
focused on conservative traditional morality. societies dominated by
a result of the movement’s certainty about its
men. They also tend to
message and the desire to convert others.
promote conservative and
Trump promotes fundamentalist Christian values in politics, influencing women’s They define all areas of life as sacred. Such
patriarchal beliefs. They
rights around abortion in many states. This is still relevant today in the US. intense support becomes part of their
particularly condemn abortion
negative portrayal in the media.
and detest gay and lesbian
relations.
This is a belief in the need to follow and return to tradition values and practices, usually
involving the literal translation and belief in religious text.
These beliefs provide a moral code for life.
● It exists within most religions ● It is a fairly modern
phenomenon, that has grown
● The most extreme expression of dramatically in the past 30
religious belief years.
Fundamentalism can lead to violence, when fundamentalists value
their beliefs above tolerance of those who do not share them.
↑ Can overcome any respect or compassion for others,
including basic human values of preserving life Characteristics of
(E.g. bombing of abortion clinics in the fundamentalist groups
Reasons why an USA, attacks on the world trade
1) A call for a return to tradition
increase in religions centre)
The destruction of traditional ways
fundamentalism has (including the decline of religious
been seen: values) has lead to social problems
and moral decay and corruption
- Globalisation
Ideas and alternative belief systems can spread across the globe Beliefs - 2) A call for a return to certainty
more easily, which offers people alternatives, and contradicts existing In a modern global society, there is religious diversity however they
beliefs, especially through social media Religious
believe that returning to traditional ways is a return to a certainty and
Fundamentalism purity of their religious beliefs
- Religious pluralism
There is greater acceptance of alternative beliefs 3) A call for a return to community
Fundamentalists believe that communities must be reasserted, and that
- Secularisation only by doing this will tradition be re-established.
There is an increasingly a decline in religious beliefs
and explanations, with science and technology
The New Christian They also believe that this would solve some of the problems
Right associated with modern life.
now dominating
4) The sanctification of politics
Politics is increasingly separate Islamic fundamentalism in Iran and Christian fundamentalists in
from religion and as a They argue the USA both argue that religion should play a central role in
result, more liberal that… politics. Religious values should affect political decisions and
laws are passed. They are typically very wealthy White American how the state itself should operate
Protestants in very large amounts, who publicise
5) High levels of engagement
and promote their more extreme views in the USA, They argue that God
Generally, members seem to be more
even through methods of brainwashing. intends for humans to
committed and intensely involved than those
They reject more liberal and are instead strongly live in heterosexual
who support mainstream movements. This is
focused on conservative traditional morality. societies dominated by
a result of the movement’s certainty about its
men. They also tend to
message and the desire to convert others.
promote conservative and
Trump promotes fundamentalist Christian values in politics, influencing women’s They define all areas of life as sacred. Such
patriarchal beliefs. They
rights around abortion in many states. This is still relevant today in the US. intense support becomes part of their
particularly condemn abortion
negative portrayal in the media.
and detest gay and lesbian
relations.
