What is the "fundamentalism" we are talking about?



There has been an interesting phenomena throughout the world for the last thirty (30) years. In different places the phenomena has taken different forms. In the mideast and parts of Asia the form has been one of fundamentalist Islam. In Israel, and parts of Brooklyn, NY the form has been one of fundamentalist Judaism. In the rest of the West, but particularly in the United States the form has been fundamentalist Christianity.


It could be argued that the three forms of fundamentalism share far more with each other than they do with their parent faiths. It is the nature of fundamentalism that causes this. The Wikipedia definition of fundamentalism is quite straight forward:

"In comparative religion, fundamentalism refers to the anti-modernist movements of various religions. In many ways religious fundamentalism is a modern phenomenon, characterized by a sense of embattled alienation in the midst of the surrounding culture, even where the culture may be nominally influenced by the adherents' religion. Fundamentalism also refers to a way of approaching one's religious scripture; i.e. in fundamentalism one holds that one's religious texts are infallible and historically accurate."


Apparently fundamentalism attracts those people most easily who are most in need of direction in their lives. They want (and in some cases need) to have an ecstatic experience which "changes" their life and allows them to alter their behavior and become "better" people. It is not just fundamentalism that can accomplish this. There may be many drug addicts and alcoholics that have "testimonies" about what "Jesus Christ" has done for them -- but there are also other individuals who offer similar testimonies about what everything from particular socio-economic theories to political views have done for them. The key ingredient is that, having never learned to control themselves and their lives, they need something outside themselves to "take control," at least in the confines of their own minds. Religion simply substitutes for drugs, or alcohol, or ... whatever.


That would be all well and good, if fundamentalism simply functioned as a pallative for those who most needed one. Religions of all types, including mainstream faiths, have always provided emotional and intellectual guidance for followers. The difference is that unlike most historic faiths, fundamentalism goes the extra step and attempts to install itself as government, as well as religion. The Taliban in Afghanistan was an example of Islamic fundamentalism. The Christian Coalition in the United States is an example of Christian fundamentalism. When all is said and done, fundamentalists of whatever stripe seek power, and to enforce their religious views and way of life on all other people. Any means to that end, ultimately, is acceptable and will be excused by the leadership. To resist fundamentalist takeover, to rebuff the efforts that such groups make in order to dominate the dialogue, we all need to understand two things:

  1. Fundamentalism is a lie. No matter how many people subscribe to its tenets, or how powerful its lobby becomes, it is first, last and always a lie. Bumper stickers, slogans, tent meetings -- nothing can change that basic fact.
  2. It is not enough to understand 1 above. You must help others to understand it as well. There are many people trapped in fundamentalism who deep inside themselves know that something is wrong. They cannot get out without help, they may not even know that they want to get out -- but as the coffin of fundamentalism has covered their lives they are scrabbling, desperately to escape.

We (the authors) are American, and this site is intended primarily to deal with Christian fundamentalism, and its bid for power in the United States. Many of the things presented -- particularly regarding the inaccuracy and immorality of the Bible, will help people of good will in any of the faiths however, as at least parts of the Bible are used by fundamentalists of all three core faiths. I know that social conditions differ, and that in countries where fundamentalism already holds sway sharing this knowledge may not be possible. I hope that as many people as can, will find a way nevertheless. Fundamentalism can be defeated only by education and by an act of will and sacrifice on the part of those that understand its negative and destructive nature.


You may email us at the contact email address rebuff@rebuff.org if you have any questions, or may write to us by "snail" mail at the address given in the footer. We are open to dialoging with serious seekers -- and be aware that we are not opposed to religion - only to fundamentalism, which we feel is the greatest threat not only to the modern world -- but to the survival of mankind, outweighing even the threat of nuclear war. Hate mail will be disgarded, so waste your postage or time at your own discretion.