THE FUNDAMENTALIST believes that what he believes is the only correct belief possible. They entertain no suggestion that there might be other valid points of view. The anti-fundamentalist, on the other hand, is open to the possibility that he might be wrong. More so,he feels it is almost impossible to be 100 per cent correct. The fundamentalist cannot conceive that there may be any real situation where his fundamentals do not apply.
Not content to simply be right, he makes it his business and his sacred duty to put everyone else right too. Competing ideas, concepts and beliefs cannot exist in harmony with the fundamentalist. As long as they exist, they will be a source of discomfort. Ideas that do not line up with the fundamentals as he sees them are perceived as a threat and are targeted for elimination. If the ideas cannot be eliminated, the logical next step is to eliminate those who hold them.
The anti-fundamentalist is not glued to his perspective. It does not rip his flesh to move from his stated position. He is free to step away from it if he sees fit, and step back to it if his search for greater truth is not fruitful. Other ways of seeing the world are not threats, but opportunities to learn and grow.
This freedom to explore comes with its own dangers. One can get lost exploring, or run into boogie men previously unknown. But for the anti-fundamentalist, the potential benefit of exploration is worth the risk. The stagnation of fundamentalism is seen as a greater risk yet.
The fundamentalist will think the anti-fundamentalist is weak. He sees himself as standing firm while the anti-fundamentalist is blown about in the wind. This could be true. It is also possible that the anti-fundamentalist is skilfully navigating the high winds and rough seas of the times, while the fundamentalist refuses to leave the harbour of the past.
We are uncomfortable with uncertainty. We need to know, or at least feel we know even if, and maybe especially when, we do not know. All that is required to inspire this confidence is the feeling of having truth. Actually having it is neither here nor there. An indisputable truth is a great comfort and motivator. Armed with the sword of truth, we set out to slay dragons, even where none exist. Doubt can make us weak and wavering.
In truth, the fundamentalist may just not be strong enough to deal with the reality of not knowing. The anti-fundamentalist accepts when he does not know but seeks to bravely move forward on the basis of reasoned faith. If he is wrong, then he is wrong and will correct course on the journey.
Fundamentalism is usually spoken of in connection with religion. Religion has been a source of unity and division. Fundamentalists take its divisive properties to the extreme. Religious fundamentalism has been responsible for great suffering and loss of life, and still is. In India, Hindu fundamentalists are challenging non-Hindus, in the Middle East, Islamic fundamentalists are making life miserable for everybody, and in the America, conservative Christians are giving Donald Trump a real shot at the White House.
Christians sometimes take pride in pointing out the violent nature of fundamentalists from other religions, compared to the seemingly passive nature of Christian fundamentalism today. It is true that from a certain angle, Christian fundamentalism looks like sweet bread compared to Islamic State and the Taliban. However, when we remember that during the Spanish Inquisition, followers of other religions were tortured into professing Christianity, that Christian armies spent decades raping and pillaging Muslim nations during the Crusades, and the name of Christ was invoked by George W. Bush, to justify his illegal war in Iraq, it brings into question the idea that Christian fundamentalism is benign.
Today’s Muslim terrorist is using tactics similar in character to the militant Christians of yesteryear, in an effort to try and catch up.
Of course, the standard response to these examples is that, those were not “true” Christians. Or if we bring the example of Islamic suicide bombers, many Muslims will argue: “This is not true Islam.” This line of reasoning, consideration and courtesy is not often extended to religions other than the one the individual believes in.
The fundamentalist says: “My way is right, and if it goes wrong, it could not really be my way.” Either that or they will excuse the negative action by pointing to the good intent or motive.
Religion does not have the monopoly on fundamentalism. We can have fundamentalist capitalists, Marxists, socialists, anarchists, communists. Any set of beliefs can be turned into a new gospel. Fundamentalism may be a fundamental feature of human nature.
Our big brains are capable of knowing so much. So much so, that we become painfully aware of how much we really do not know. We will quickly elevate our favourite beliefs and theories to indisputable truths if it serves our purposes. An indisputable truth has a high probability of ending up in conflict with an opposing indisputable truth.
A new belief system is gaining ground. Atheism. There is no reason to think that a fundamentalist atheism is not capable of all the conflict and atrocities that fundamentalist religion has committed.
The fundamentalist Atheist does not say: “I do not believe in God.” He declares, “I know that there is no God.” His temples are the institutions of higher learning. No truth is acceptable unless consecrated by peer reviewed study. He divides the world into rational and righteous non-religious, on one side and the irrational religious hordes on the other. If he cannot bring the religious hordes to the light and the truth of Science, the next logical step is to send them to hell.
After all, that’s the way religious fundamentalists do it.
Adrian Green is a creative communications specialist. Email: Adriangreen14@gmail.com
