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Religious Religious Fundamentalism Fundamentalism

Religious Fundamentalism - Mr. Farshteymrfarshtey.net/classes/religiousfundamentalism.pdf · Religious Fundamentalism Not concerned with any specific religion A style of political

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ReligiousReligiousFundamentalismFundamentalism

Key TermsKey TermsSecularization – a

at is leading to increasingly large groups of people who claim no allegiance to any church.

Some of these people are atheists. Others simply do not practice. Still others call themselves spiritual, but not religious.

•Common in Europe and the cities of the U.S.

•Common in former Soviet Union and China.

Fundamentalism –that leading to increasingly large

groups of people who claim there is only one way to interpret worship.

Fundamentalists generally envision a return to a more perfect religion and ethics they imagine existed in the past.

•Common in the U.S. and in some Islamic nations.

Religious FundamentalismReligious Fundamentalism

Not concerned with any specific religionNot concerned with any specific religion

A style of political thought, rather than a A style of political thought, rather than a collection of ideas and valuescollection of ideas and values

Some scholars argue that religious Some scholars argue that religious fundamentalism is merely a ‘subfundamentalism is merely a ‘sub--species’ species’ of the ideology of nationalismof the ideology of nationalism

Fundamentalist PrinciplesFundamentalist Principles

Fundamentalists see religion as a set of Fundamentalists see religion as a set of firm principles that cannot be challengedfirm principles that cannot be challenged

Such principles should be the guiding light Such principles should be the guiding light in issues such as personal conduct and in issues such as personal conduct and the organization of social, economic and the organization of social, economic and political lifepolitical life

“Politics is religion” (Ayatollah Khomeini)“Politics is religion” (Ayatollah Khomeini)

Public / Private DividePublic / Private Divide

In the West, politics in religion has been In the West, politics in religion has been restricted by the spread of liberal culture restricted by the spread of liberal culture and ideas and ideas tthus, there is a public/private hus, there is a public/private dividedivide

But fundamentalism’s refusal to accept But fundamentalism’s refusal to accept that religion is a personal matter is what that religion is a personal matter is what establishes its ideological credentialsestablishes its ideological credentials

“Existing structures must be replaced with “Existing structures must be replaced with a comprehensive system based on a comprehensive system based on religious principles”religious principles”

The Fundamentalist ImpulseThe Fundamentalist Impulse

Fundamentalism refers to a commitment Fundamentalism refers to a commitment of ideas and values seen to be ‘basic’, or of ideas and values seen to be ‘basic’, or ‘foundational’‘foundational’

These principles are seen to be enduring These principles are seen to be enduring and unchanging in characterand unchanging in character

And they usually derive from spiritual texts And they usually derive from spiritual texts claiming the true word of Godclaiming the true word of God

Religious fundamentalism…Religious fundamentalism…

Has a proven ability to generate political Has a proven ability to generate political activism and mobilize the faithfulactivism and mobilize the faithful

Can offer certainty in an uncertain worldCan offer certainty in an uncertain world

Displaces socialism as the creed of Displaces socialism as the creed of political renewal and social justicepolitical renewal and social justice

Works on both psychological and social Works on both psychological and social levelslevels

No political blueprintNo political blueprint

AntiAnti--modernismmodernism

Although religious fundamentalism is antiAlthough religious fundamentalism is anti--modern in character, this image alone is modern in character, this image alone is misleadingmisleading

Religious fundamentalism is Religious fundamentalism is selectivelyselectivelytraditional (i.e. return to ‘family’ values, traditional (i.e. return to ‘family’ values, Shari’aShari’a law) and law) and selectively selectively modern in modern in charactercharacter

Religious fundamentalism…Religious fundamentalism…

Across the world, fundamentalisms have Across the world, fundamentalisms have exploited the advantages of modern mass exploited the advantages of modern mass communicationcommunication

Accept technology, science, the machinery Accept technology, science, the machinery of the modern state and even nuclear of the modern state and even nuclear weaponry over the ‘descent in to otherweaponry over the ‘descent in to other--worldly’ mysticism worldly’ mysticism –– such as the Buddhistssuch as the Buddhists

‘Dynamic’ interpretation of scriptures‘Dynamic’ interpretation of scriptures

MilitancyMilitancy –– Why?Why?

1. Religious conflicts deal with core 1. Religious conflicts deal with core values and beliefsvalues and beliefs

2. Identity politics 2. Identity politics –– distinction between distinction between ‘them’ and ‘us’‘them’ and ‘us’

3. Emphasis between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ 3. Emphasis between ‘good’ and ‘evil’

Consequences?Consequences?

A willingness to use antiA willingness to use anti--constitutional constitutional political actionpolitical action

Although fundamentalists regard God’s Although fundamentalists regard God’s law as higher than human law, it does not law as higher than human law, it does not follow that follow that allall groups will disregard human groups will disregard human lawlaw

The most controversial issue is the The most controversial issue is the fundamentalists’ use of violencefundamentalists’ use of violence

Various forms of FundamentalismVarious forms of Fundamentalism

Derive from different religionsDerive from different religions

Emerge from very different societiesEmerge from very different societies

Differ according to the political causes Differ according to the political causes they are associated withthey are associated with

Islamic FundamentalismIslamic Fundamentalism

Guided by the teachings of Muhammad (570Guided by the teachings of Muhammad (570--632AD) and revealed in the Koran632AD) and revealed in the Koran

Two main sects: Sunni (majority) and Two main sects: Sunni (majority) and Shiite/Shi’a (10% Shiite/Shi’a (10% -- mostly in Iran and Iraq)mostly in Iran and Iraq)

Islamic fundamentalism was revived in 1928 Islamic fundamentalism was revived in 1928 when the Muslim Brotherhood was founded in when the Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt (Led by Hassan al Banna)Egypt (Led by Hassan al Banna)

Brotherhood pledged to revitalize Islamic faith Brotherhood pledged to revitalize Islamic faith and provide alternative to Western dominationand provide alternative to Western domination

Growth of Muslim BrotherhoodGrowth of Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt’s defeat in ArabEgypt’s defeat in Arab--Israeli War of l967 Israeli War of l967 provided an opportunity for the Muslim provided an opportunity for the Muslim Brotherhood to expandBrotherhood to expand

Since 1970s, fundamentalist groups Since 1970s, fundamentalist groups attracted growing popular support attracted growing popular support

Led by popular revolution in Iran, Ayatollah Led by popular revolution in Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini proclaimed the first Islamic Khomeini proclaimed the first Islamic Republic 1979Republic 1979

Christian FundamentalismChristian Fundamentalism

Christianity Christianity -- the world’s largest religionthe world’s largest religion

Three main divisions: Catholic, Orthodox, Three main divisions: Catholic, Orthodox, ProtestantProtestant

Political significance of Christianity declined with Political significance of Christianity declined with advance of liberal constitutionalismadvance of liberal constitutionalism

Emphasis on single and moral issuesEmphasis on single and moral issues

Ethnic nationalism in Northern Ireland appealed Ethnic nationalism in Northern Ireland appealed to workingto working--class Protestants as well as class Protestants as well as fundamentalistsfundamentalists

The New Christian RightThe New Christian Right

60 million US citizens say they are ‘born 60 million US citizens say they are ‘born again’ Christians; of those, half describe again’ Christians; of those, half describe themselves as fundamentaliststhemselves as fundamentalists

A broad coalition of groups concerned with A broad coalition of groups concerned with what they see as a decline of moral and what they see as a decline of moral and social issues. social issues.

Campaign to restore traditional family Campaign to restore traditional family valuesvalues

‘born again’‘born again’

‘Pro life’ agenda‘Pro life’ agenda Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. embraced Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. embraced

the new Christian Right agenda by making ‘pro the new Christian Right agenda by making ‘pro life’ political appointments, but they failed to life’ political appointments, but they failed to deliver on the moral agendadeliver on the moral agenda

2000 2000 -- the Christian Right achieved a boost from the Christian Right achieved a boost from the election of George W. Bush and his Vice the election of George W. Bush and his Vice President, Dick Cheney President, Dick Cheney –– both ‘born again’ both ‘born again’ ChristiansChristians

John Ashcroft, a leading evangelical was John Ashcroft, a leading evangelical was appointed Attorney General by George W. Bush appointed Attorney General by George W. Bush

Religious ConflictReligious ConflictThe Big Question: Can secular society exist alongside traditional and fundamentalist religious sects and states?

• We are quick to notice fundamentalism abroad (i.e. Salman Rushdie’s death sentence by Shi’a clerics) and not so quick to recognize it at home (abortion clinic bombings; Southern Baptist Convention’s calls for women to submit to their husbands’ authority).

• American evangelical Christianity and Islamic fundamentalism are the two most influential fundamentalist movements in the world.

• Fewer and fewer states are governed by an official church.

KEY QUESTION:KEY QUESTION:

What Role Does Religion Play What Role Does Religion Play

in Political Conflicts?in Political Conflicts?

Conflicts along Religious BordersConflicts along Religious Borders

InterInterfaith Boundariesfaith Boundaries Boundaries between the world’s major faiths.Boundaries between the world’s major faiths.

IntraIntrafaithfaith BoundariesBoundaries Boundaries within a single major faith.Boundaries within a single major faith.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries Nigeria: Nigeria:

Multilingual country with about 110 million inhabitants.Multilingual country with about 110 million inhabitants. The North is a Muslim zone.The North is a Muslim zone. The South is a domain where Christianity prevails, along The South is a domain where Christianity prevails, along

with local traditional religions.with local traditional religions. North and South ethnic groups have considerable disdain North and South ethnic groups have considerable disdain

for each other.for each other. In the past decade, fundamental religious division began to In the past decade, fundamental religious division began to

threaten the future of the state.threaten the future of the state.•• Northern Muslim preachers are calling for an “Islamic Northern Muslim preachers are calling for an “Islamic

Republic”.Republic”.•• Calls for secession are growing in the Christian south.Calls for secession are growing in the Christian south.

In the late 1990’s, Nigeria was OPEC’s fourth largest oil In the late 1990’s, Nigeria was OPEC’s fourth largest oil producer.producer.

Breakup of Nigeria would have farBreakup of Nigeria would have far--reaching implications.reaching implications.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries

Sudan:Sudan: Muslim north and Christian south.Muslim north and Christian south. Constant conflict between the two.Constant conflict between the two. Sharia religious laws: were being imposed Sharia religious laws: were being imposed

over the entire country.over the entire country. The war has devastated the south:The war has devastated the south:

•• Millions have been dislocated.Millions have been dislocated.•• Hundreds of thousands have starved.Hundreds of thousands have starved.In the early 21st century , the war rages on.In the early 21st century , the war rages on.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries

The African Horn:The African Horn: Religious map of Ethiopia is more complicated Religious map of Ethiopia is more complicated

than that of Nigeria or Sudan.than that of Nigeria or Sudan. Heart of the former mountain kingdom contains the Heart of the former mountain kingdom contains the

cultural core area of Amharic (Coptic) Christians.cultural core area of Amharic (Coptic) Christians. Islam won some adherents at base of mountains, but Islam won some adherents at base of mountains, but

Christian rulers maintained control.Christian rulers maintained control. Military dictatorship was overthrown in 1991.Military dictatorship was overthrown in 1991. Contains a large Muslim population of Somalis in its Contains a large Muslim population of Somalis in its

eastern zone.eastern zone. Problems still continue between the different religions.Problems still continue between the different religions.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries

South Asia:South Asia: Part of Britain’s colonial empire.Part of Britain’s colonial empire. In 1947 a political boundary was In 1947 a political boundary was

established between Islamic Pakistan established between Islamic Pakistan and multicultural India.and multicultural India.-- produced one of the largest human produced one of the largest human migrations of modern times.migrations of modern times.-- Millions of Muslims crossed into Millions of Muslims crossed into Pakistan and Hindus moved into India.Pakistan and Hindus moved into India.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries

India proclaimed itself a secular federation and India proclaimed itself a secular federation and sporadic religious conflict followed for 30 years.sporadic religious conflict followed for 30 years.

In India during the 1980’s, several events In India during the 1980’s, several events occurred that led to more intense conflict.occurred that led to more intense conflict. The Sikhs campaigned for greater or outright The Sikhs campaigned for greater or outright

independence. independence. •• Demanded a separate state in the Punjab.Demanded a separate state in the Punjab.•• Indian army raided the Sikh’s holiest shrine causing Indian army raided the Sikh’s holiest shrine causing

more than 1000 deaths.more than 1000 deaths.•• India’s prime minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated India’s prime minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated

by Sikh members of her bodyguard.by Sikh members of her bodyguard.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries Second development occurred during the late 1980’s when Second development occurred during the late 1980’s when

the site of a holy shrine claimed by both Muslims and the site of a holy shrine claimed by both Muslims and Hindus became a battleground.Hindus became a battleground. Muslims regained control of the site.Muslims regained control of the site. In late 1992 a mob of Hindu fundamentalists stormed the In late 1992 a mob of Hindu fundamentalists stormed the

mosque and demolished it.mosque and demolished it. In early 2002 the mosque was to be rebuilt, but new In early 2002 the mosque was to be rebuilt, but new

waves of violence erupted.waves of violence erupted.Hinduism began to exhibit the sort of fundamentalism and Hinduism began to exhibit the sort of fundamentalism and

militancy that had been associated with other faiths.militancy that had been associated with other faiths.-- OnOn--going conflict with antigoing conflict with anti--Indian militants from Indian militants from Pakistan has helped fuel fundamentalist movement.Pakistan has helped fuel fundamentalist movement.-- Hindu fundamentalists have caused conflicts with Hindu fundamentalists have caused conflicts with Christianity as well.Christianity as well.

CONCLUSION: The rise of fundamentalism is affecting CONCLUSION: The rise of fundamentalism is affecting virtually all religions today.virtually all religions today.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith BoundariesThe former Soviet Union:The former Soviet Union: MakeMake--up of the Soviet Union when it was first up of the Soviet Union when it was first

formed.formed. Fifteen Soviet Republics and other territories of lesser Fifteen Soviet Republics and other territories of lesser

rank.rank. Russia, the largest republic, was divided into 70 Russia, the largest republic, was divided into 70

territories.territories. Soviets inherited more than one hundred ethnic Soviets inherited more than one hundred ethnic

groups plus their:groups plus their:•• Languages, beliefs, and life waysLanguages, beliefs, and life ways•• Parts of two great religious realms Parts of two great religious realms -- the the

Eastern Orthodox Church and Islam.Eastern Orthodox Church and Islam.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries The Soviets discouraged religious practice throughout the The Soviets discouraged religious practice throughout the

country.country. When the USSR collapsed, Soviet Republics became When the USSR collapsed, Soviet Republics became

independent states, and ethnic strife broke out almost independent states, and ethnic strife broke out almost immediately.immediately. Christians and Muslims fought.Christians and Muslims fought. Islam quickly revived in the central Asian republics.Islam quickly revived in the central Asian republics. The Russian Orthodox Church is experiencing a The Russian Orthodox Church is experiencing a

resurrection.resurrection.

Kazakhstan poses the most serious potential spatial problem.Kazakhstan poses the most serious potential spatial problem.-- Islamic Islamic -- Christian interfaith boundary runs right across Christian interfaith boundary runs right across the state.the state.-- Virtually all Christians live in the north.Virtually all Christians live in the north.-- Almost all Muslims live in the south.Almost all Muslims live in the south.-- Unless the interfaith border becomes a political border, a Unless the interfaith border becomes a political border, a major problem could arise.major problem could arise.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries

Europe: the former Yugoslavia Europe: the former Yugoslavia When the political system failed, the When the political system failed, the

Muslims were attacked by Christians.Muslims were attacked by Christians. Ethnic cleansing was also undertaken Ethnic cleansing was also undertaken

between the Christian factions.between the Christian factions. All Yugoslavians are of Slavic ancestry; All Yugoslavians are of Slavic ancestry;

what divides them is culture.what divides them is culture.

Interfaith BoundariesInterfaith Boundaries

Bangladesh Bangladesh -- growing unrest between Muslims growing unrest between Muslims and Hindus.and Hindus.

Sri LankaSri Lanka-- ongoing problems between Buddhists ongoing problems between Buddhists and Hindus.and Hindus.

Southeast and Southwest Asia:Southeast and Southwest Asia: Catholics and a minority of MuslimsCatholics and a minority of Muslims Israel’s conflict with its neighbors:Israel’s conflict with its neighbors:

•• Conflict with the Palestinians has been Conflict with the Palestinians has been going on since 1937going on since 1937-- 1938.1938.

•• PresentPresent--day conflict day conflict Gaza / West Bank / Gaza / West Bank / Settlements in Occupied TerritoriesSettlements in Occupied Territories..

Intrafaith BoundariesIntrafaith Boundaries

In the Islamic realm: Conflict between In the Islamic realm: Conflict between Sunni and Sunni and Shi’iteShi’ite branches.branches. The IranThe Iran--Iraq conflict of the 1980’sIraq conflict of the 1980’s

After the Gulf War, the SunniAfter the Gulf War, the Sunni--controlled army controlled army of defeated Iraq moved against the Shiite of defeated Iraq moved against the Shiite communities of the southcommunities of the south

Conflict in LebanonConflict in Lebanon