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SPECIFIC INSIGHTS FROM THE
FUNDAMENTALISM PROJECT
The research involved in the aforementioned
The Fundamentalism Project is unparalleled, and the conclusions
are the most authoritative offered about religious fundamentalisms to
date. The authors examine
Fundamentalisms are examined from statistical,
religious, sociological, cultural, historical, political and other
dimensions. At 8000 pages, it is a very thorough treatment!
Through extensive analysis they find certain similarities that all
religious fundamentalisms share. Here is what the authors list as
"family resemblances" that are found in all religious fundamentalist
groups throughout the world:
1. religious idealism as basis for personal and communal identity;
2. fundamentalists understand truth to be revealed and unified;
3. it is intentionally scandalous (i.e., outsiders cannot understand
it);
4. fundamentalists envision themselves as part of a cosmic struggle;
5. they seize on historical moments and reinterpret them in light of
this cosmic struggle;
6. they demonize their opposition and are reactionary;
7. fundamentalists are selective in what parts of their tradition and
heritage they stress;
8. they are led by males;
9. they envy modernist cultural hegemony and try to overturn the
distribution of power.
The volumes also list five ideological characteristics and four
organizational characteristics of all fundamentalisms. The five
ideological characteristics are:
1. fundamentalists are concerned "first" with the erosion of religion
and its proper role in society;
2. fundamentalism is selective of their tradition and what part of
modernity they accept or choose to react against;
3. they embrace some form of Manicheanism (dualism);
4. fundamentalists stress absolutism and inerrancy in their sources of
revelation; and
5. they opt for some form of Millennialism or Messianism.
The four organizational characteristics are:
1. an elect or chosen membership;
2. sharp group boundaries;
3. charismatic authoritarian leaders; and
4. mandated behavioral requirements.
CONCLUSION
Fundamentalism is a growing, worldwide, modern
religious phenomenon which is found within all major world religions.
Religious fundamentalisms sap the vitality of the faith groups within
which they reside by seeking total control, threaten women's rights,
exercise national political power in many nations (and to varying
degrees), and are a hindrance to humanity's quest for more knowledge
and understanding of world and self.
ELECT BOOKS AND ESSAYS
The Fundamentalism Project by Martin E. Marty and R. Scott
Appleyby, Editors
Published by the University of
Chicago
Fundamentalism and Theology Today by Fisher Humphreys
Islamic Fundamentalism: A Brief Survey
by Bruce Gourley
COMMENTARY ON FUNDAMENTALISM OF SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION LEADERSHIP
Southern Baptist Convention Withdrawal from Baptist World Alliance
by Bruce Gourley (January 2004)
Which Baptists Actually Believe the Bible?
by Bruce Gourley (April 2003)
The Fundamentalist-Moderate Controversy After 20 Years
by Walter B.
Shurden (1999) ONLINE
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Links to Websites and an Excellent, Brief Bibliography
by Steven Jones (1998) |
