The growth of fundamentalism in many religions and cultures

3. Whoever Is Not
Against Us Is for Us
49
“Master,” said
John, “we saw
someone driving
out demons in your
name and we tried
to stop him,
because he is not
one of us.”
50
“Do not stop
him,” Jesus said,
“for whoever is
not against you is
for you.”
Luke 9:49-50
(NIV)

4. The e-mail Title:
Pope Francis Declares That Christian Fundamentalism ‘Is A
Sickness’
What does the Pope really say:
“Fundamentalism is a sickness that is in all
religions,”
“We Catholics have some — and not some, many — who believe in
the absolute truth and go ahead dirtying the other with calumny, with
disinformation, and doing evil.”
“They do evil,” “I say this because it is my church.”
“We have to combat it,” he said. “Religious fundamentalism is not
religious, because it lacks God. It is idolatry, like the idolatry of money.”E-mail information drawn from this site: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-attacks-
fundamentalist-catholics-dismisses-condom-ban-as-unimp
I received this e-mail last week and it is circulating in our ranks

5. Fundamentalism – a response to:
Liberalism in many Pulpits and Seminaries
Higher Biblical Criticism
The developments in Science and
particularly the teaching of Evolution
The advance of Secularism
The rapid Societal Changes
They insisted on the
conversion experience through faith in Jesus Christ alone,
the reliability of the Bible in matters of science and
history as well as theology
the imminent physical return of Christ to the earth
Christ would establish a millennial reign of peace and
righteousness on earth
Reuben Torrey (ed)The Fundamentals (1910-1915).

8. A high point in the Fundamentalist-Modernist Conflict
was the trial of John Scopes for teaching evolution in a public
school in Dayton, Tennessee
Scopes
C.Darrow
Darrow Bryan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=l5Kdc0LLSW8&feature=fvwp

9. By the end of the 1920s,
fundamentalism in America had lost
influence. It was Humiliated by the
Scopes "monkey trial,“ it retreated
from public view and seemed
doomed to disapear.
Yet, fundamentalism survived,
reemerged as a thriving and
influential movement.
Today it is impossible to read a
newspaper or watch TV without being
aware of fundamentalism in American
society and politics.

10. One of the great surprises today is
the reawakening of a
militant Fundamentalism
within every major
religious tradition

11. 10/03 2005-155 c John Ditchburn

12.  This reemergence ofThis reemergence of
Fundamentalism has been a realFundamentalism has been a real
surprise. As the last centurysurprise. As the last century
wound down it was believed thatwound down it was believed that
secularism would triumph.secularism would triumph.

 Then, toward the end of the 20Then, toward the end of the 20thth
century, fundamentalists begancentury, fundamentalists began
to strongly oppose the secularistto strongly oppose the secularist
trend and started to bringtrend and started to bring
religion back into the publicreligion back into the public
square.square.

13. Jon Krakauer “The Fundamentalist Religious Views That Inspired Ammon Bundy
and His Militia to Occupy a Remote Federal Facility in Oregon”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-krakauer/fundamentalist-religious-ammon-bundy-militia-oregon_b_8931762.html
 Militant FundamentalismMilitant Fundamentalism
manifested itself sometimes inmanifested itself sometimes in
some shocking manifestations. Insome shocking manifestations. In
some instances fundamentalistssome instances fundamentalists
have:have:
 Shot worshippers in a mosqueShot worshippers in a mosque
 Killed doctors and nurses whoKilled doctors and nurses who
performed abortionsperformed abortions
 Islamist fanatics shootings in
San Bernardino, California
killing 14 people

14. Important to RememberImportant to Remember
 Only a very small minorityOnly a very small minority
of fundamentalistsof fundamentalists
commit acts of terrorcommit acts of terror,,
yet may fundamentalistsyet may fundamentalists
do oppose strongly manydo oppose strongly many
of the positive values ofof the positive values of
modern society.modern society.
http://www.interspirit.net/alliance/religion.cfm

15. Importance of UnderstandingImportance of Understanding
Fundamentalism in Modern WorldFundamentalism in Modern World
 Fundamentalism has become an essential partFundamentalism has become an essential part
of the modern world and increasingly plays aof the modern world and increasingly plays a
role in domestic and international affairs:role in domestic and international affairs:
 What is the meaning ofWhat is the meaning of
FundamentalismFundamentalism
 Why did it developedWhy did it developed
 What can it tell us about theWhat can it tell us about the
different religions and culturesdifferent religions and cultures
 How we should relate to it.How we should relate to it.

16. http://dorriescomicsandcartoons.blogspot.com/2012/10/fundamentals-of-fundamentalism.html
HADDEN, JEFFREY K.: 1992
Types
of
Fundamentalism

17. The Reawakening of
American
Fundamentalism
Military Religious
Freedom
Foundation

19.  A literal approach to the interpretation of the Qur’an
 Believe that Islam has been corrupted by the modern world
 Want to return to the way people practiced Islam in more
“pure times”
 No separation between religious and secular authority –
the state should implement Shariah law
 Innovation is to be avoided
 Belief in revolution to affect social change
 Education of women should be banned – strict role for women
 The use of modern technology within the Islamic state should be
banned or censored – radio, tv, internet, etc
 Jihad is to be waged to “remove the obstacles to the religion of
God”
 Jihad is a religious war with those who are” unbelievers in the
mission of the Prophet Muhammad”

22. Orissa: terror on Christmas Day as
fundamentalists kill three people, set 13
Churches on fire,
Asia News, 12/26/2007
“Hindu fundamentalism” in India has been influenced more by nationalism than by religion, in part because
Hinduism does not have a specific sacred text to which conformity can be demanded. The focus is on
Hinduvta ("Hinduness") . Hindus alone constitute the Indian nation as they are the original inhabitants of this
land and have created this society and its culture.
Stop , conversions, or soon
Hindus will be a minority in
India," said Ashok Singhal,
leader (VHP), a fundamentalist
group. Attack non-Hindus

23. In Sri Lanka, where about 70 percent of the
population is Theravada Buddhist, a group of
monks formed the Bodu Bala Sena or the Buddhist
Power Force in 2012 to “protect” the country’s
Buddhist culture. They carried out at least 241
attacks against Muslims and 61 attacks against
Christians in 2013, according to the Sri Lanka
Muslim Congress.

24. Reactionary
Reacting to aspects of modernism that is a danger to their beliefs. They object to
those aspects of social change that they are against, such as
racial equality, women's rights, scientific progress and social movements that
are consequences of modernism.
Exclusive
Fundamentalists believe that they alone have access to objective truth and
absolute morality
Absolutist
Absolutist stance against what they consider to be the dangers of relativism. They
believe they have special access to objective truth, doubt is considered to be a
weakness. If fundamentalists consider something immoral, it remains immoral
regardless of societal context.
Life by the Book - Literalist
The sources of their tradition is taken as literal truths, especially when it fits an
agenda that is in opposition to the world. No room for interpretations
Going Back to “The Good Old Days” - Return to Previous Ideal – a
Mythical Past
http://www.ehow.com/info_8760738_10-characteristics-religious-fundamentalism.html

25. Selective
Religious fundamentalists tend to tailor their beliefs in order to fit well with their
reactive worldview.
Authoritarian
Strong institutional and charismatic leadership is a hallmark of religious
fundamentalist organizations.
With-or-Against
Being completely in the group or set apart from it as an enemy.
Strict Morality
Members of fundamentalist groups must conform to strict moral boundaries,
which may include dressing modestly, not smoking or drinking, a refusal to
read certain literature or listen to particular music
End-time Certainty
Certainty regarding the future of the world, which usually is based upon prophetic
revelation that includes an apocalyptic end, judgment of unbelievers, and their own
final vindication in the world to come.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8760738_10-characteristics-religious-fundamentalism.html

26.  Reactionary
Reacting to aspects of modernism that is a
danger to their beliefs. They object to those
aspects of social change that they are against,
such as
Fundamentalists rejectFundamentalists reject
many Modern Values:many Modern Values:
 DemocracyDemocracy
 PluralismPluralism
 Religious tolerationReligious toleration
 Free speechFree speech
 Separation of churchSeparation of church
and stateand state
 Some Scientific advancesSome Scientific advances
 Woman’s equalityWoman’s equality
 social movements that are
consequences of modernism
"In winning a nation to the
gospel, the sword as well
as the pen must be used."
"Democracy is a heresy against God!”
-R.J. Rushdooney, Director of the
Rutherford Institute,
architect of "Christian
Reconstructionism.”
Clash between Islam
and Modernity
Fundamentalist
revolt against the
modern age

27. Exclusive
Fundamentalists believe that they alone
have access to objective truth and
absolute morality
Absolutist
Absolutist stance against what they consider to be the
dangers of relativism. They believe they have special
access to objective truth, doubt is considered to be a
weakness. If fundamentalists consider something immoral,
it remains immoral regardless of societal context.
The Bible (Koran, Torah) is absolutely true and without error
in all that it affirms; theologically, historically, and
cosmologically. All other religions are false and their
disagreeing teachings are inspired by the devil.
“Fundamentalism is a sickness that exists in all religions. We Catholics have some, not
just some, so many, who believe they have the absolute truth and they move forward
with calumnies, with defamation and they hurt (people), they hurt.” Pope Francis
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-text-of-popes-in-flight-interview-from-africa-to-rome-48855/

28. Life by the Inerrant Books -
Selective Literalist
The sources of their tradition is taken
as literal truths, especially when it fits
an agenda that is in opposition to the
world. No room for interpretations.

29. Going Back to “The Good Old Days” –
Return to Previous Ideal (No closer to God in the “Golden Age)
“…even if the Christian Right gained all
the political power it covets, America
would be no more closer to God than it
was in the "Golden Age" of a few hundred
years back, when "Christian America" was
butchering Native Americans and
enslaving millions of Africans.
http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/the-myth-of-a-christian-nation
“Religious fundamentalism in actual fact
seeks to impose a new hegemonic
order. In order to assist this project, it
invokes mythical memories of a perfect age
where religious principles were followed to
the book and all was well with the world; it
relies on the constant creation of a set of
enemies who were/are responsible for all
that went wrong with this perfect world.”
https://www.citelighter.com/philosophy/philosophy/knowledgecards/
religious-fundamentalism

30. Warren Jeffs
Al-Zawahiri
Authoritarian
Strong institutional and
charismatic leadership is a
hallmark of religious
fundamentalist
organizations.
Myanmar’s Buddhist monk
Ashin Wirathu the leader
of 969, a fundamentalist
movement, to
Protect Buddhism John Hagee
Al-Baghdadi

31. With-or-Against. Dualism
Being completely in the group or set apart from it as an enemy.
The Fundamentalists divide the world into clear-cut binary categories of
good/evil, right/wrong, us/them. They are suspicious and angry at those
on the wrong side of the divide.
Islamic Fundamentalism:
The world is divided into two
spheres, Dar al-Islam ("the
home of Islam”) and Dar al-Harb
("house of war”). denizens are
either to be converted, killed.
Dualism

32. Strict Morality
Members of fundamentalist groups must
conform to strict moral boundaries, which
may include dressing modestly, not smoking
or drinking, a refusal to read certain
literature or listen to particular music
http://www.ehow.com/info_8760738_10-characteristics-religious-fundamentalism.html

33. Billy Sunday, Charles Fuller, Billy Graham, and others
believed Armageddon was nigh, these preachers used
what little time was left to warn of the coming
Antichrist, save souls, and prepare the nation for
God’s final judgment. Apocalyptic thinking continues
to exert enormous influence over the American
mainstream today and conservative Politics
End-time Certainty
Certainty regarding the future of the world, which usually is based upon
prophetic revelation that includes an apocalyptic end, judgment of
unbelievers, and their own final vindication in the world to come.

34. Some fundamentalist Christians believe when Israel
occupies all Greater Palestine and the Jews have
rebuilt the temple, Christ will come again.
Some fundamentalist Jews believe when they rebuild
the Temple the Messiah will come.
Some Palestinians say if anyone destroys the two
Islamic Shrines on the Temple mount they will start
WWIII.
All three of these scenarios play straight into fundamentalist
beliefs and they are working hard to make them happen. They
may be successful. Each believing it is by the "will of God".
Prominent American fundamentalists
provide hard-line support for Israel while
looking forward to the apocalypse.
Messianic fervor has driven some Israeli
settlers to oppose peace.
And the Islamic apocalyptic visions casts
Israel's actions in Jerusalem as diabolic
plots.
The End of Days shows how conflict
over Jerusalem and the fiery belief in
apocalypse continue to have a
potent impact on world politics and
why a lasting peace in the Middle
East continues to prove elusive.
End-time Certainty

35. John HageeCornerstone Church
Reverend John Hagee, the leader of
the over one million strong
“Christians United for Israel”
End-time Certainty

36. Clifford Goldstein:
“I warned that much of the evangelical obsession and support of the
Jewish nation was based on an eschatology that, among other things,
predicted the death of millions of Jews, with those who survived
converting to Christianity (deemed by many Jews as a fate worse than death!). “
http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/the-myth-of-a-christian-nation
End-time Certainty

37. http://archives.adventistreview.org/article/795/archives/issue-2006-
1530/the-appeal-and-peril-of-fundamentalism
http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/religious-
freedom-or-religious-fundamentalism
January/February 2008

38. The fundamentalist mind-set is finally unacceptable to a child of
God who is created in His image as a free moral agent and
committed to the teachings of Jesus. There is in fundamentalism
a built-in resistance to freedom, to learning, and to creativity
that opposes itself to the God who gave us all these gifts.
Fundamentalism wherever found—in Tel Aviv, Tajikistan, or Toledo—
reveals its taste for bigotry, for fanaticism, for rigidity and
exclusiveness at a moment when the world is crying out for bridge builders
and peacemakers. It revels in control—doctrinally, politically, even in the
family—and justifies its refusal to dialogue and learn by its suspicions of
other opinions and other faiths. While seeking to preserve the truth about
God, fundamentalism ultimately gives a terribly distorted view of His
character and His attitudes.
While we may share some of its concerns, and also look forward to the day when all
things are restored to God’s design, Adventists will relate to fundamentalism as they do to
every other human “ism.” In the name of Him who died to set us free, we will build up the
kingdom in His way.
http://archives.adventistreview.org/article/795/archives/issue-2006-1530/the-appeal-and-peril-of-fundamentalism

39. Neither Relativism nor Fundamentalism
offers a basis for reasoned discourse on
moral choices. We need a revitalized
“protestant” middle way.

40. Romans 14:1-23
"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to
disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may
eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat,
and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats;
for God has received him...One person esteems one
day above another; another esteems every day alike.
Let each be fully convinced in his own mind...But
why do you judge your brother? Or why do you
show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of Christ...Therefore let us not
judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not
to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our
brother's way." (NKJ)