The context of fundamentalism

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 625.

What is fundamentalism?

Fundamentalism is seen by Davie (1995) as a difficult concept to define. It reaffirms the 'essential truths' of a faith, but as they relate to the pressures of the effects on contem­porary reality of an expanding global economy. It is not a faith left undisturbed for generations, but a revitalised affirmation of the essential tenets of belief, a challenge to progress and a reiteration of original scriptures as Holy Writ. Certainly, fundamentalism calls into question the inevitability of secularisation and modernisation. Characteristics include the following:

■ Fundamentalism generally emerges out of traditional cultures which have remained undisturbed for many generations and then are challenged or disturbed.

■ Threats, whether external or internal, generate insecurity, which may be addressed by a specific leader.

■ Reaction of the group to the threats usually makes use of selective retrieval from the past, for which particular authority is sought. This authority is often in the form of a sacred text or book.

■ An 'us and them' mentality sets in, with the group against the rest of society.

■ Paradoxically, even though they set themselves up against modernity, fundamentalist groups utilise modern technology.

Fundamentalism, then, is itself a product of modernity, it is born out of the clash between modernity and traditional cultures. Fundamentalist movements, although they pre-date postmodernism, are in fact likely elements of a postmodern world. As we have become more uncertain about the inevitability of progress, religion can be seen to take on a new role