Fundamentalism
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 7.4.4
Fundamentalism
Another argument against the view that religion is losing its influence is the rise of religious fundamentalism.
Fundamentalism
- Fundamentalism refers to the process of returning to the basics of a religion and the belief in absolute truth.
- There are a range of elements of religious fundamentalism:
- They tend to believe in the exact wording of the sacred texts and will often cite quotations to justify their actions and beliefs.
- Usually sects.
Elements of religious fundamentalism
- There are a range of elements of religious fundamentalism:
- They have a world rejecting stance and often isolate themselves from mainstream society.
- They attempt to shock the population through extreme views or acts of terrorism to gain public attention.
The influence of cosmopolitanism
- Giddens believes that globalisation has triggered the recent rise in fundamentalism due to the rapid promotion of cosmopolitan values.
Giddens cosmopolitanism cont.
- In all societies around the world, individuals with conservative values are feeling marginalised by a more liberal world view that seeks to undermine traditional assumptions on issues such as gender differences, abortion and sexual activity etc.
Postmodernity
- Castells claims that postmodernity has caused two different responses:
- A ‘resistance identity’:
- The individual turns to fundamentalist movements to protect their conservative values which are now under threat in a cosmopolitan world.
Castells cont.
- A ‘project identity’:
- Those who attempt to embrace change by engaging with New Age movements.
Fundamentalism
Another argument against the view that religion is losing its influence is the rise of religious fundamentalism.
Cultural defence
- Bruce argues that religious fundamentalism is mainly caused by individuals feeling under threat to adopt different beliefs due to globalisation.
- Bruce identifies two types of fundamentalism.
Western (Christian)
- Western (Christian) fundamentalist groups:
- Often are reacting to changes within western society such as secularisation.
- They are often attempting to battle with their own community to bring back traditional values that are disappearing due to cosmopolitanism.
- E.g. The Westboro Baptist Church.
Third world (Islamic)
- Third world fundamentalists (Islamic):
- Often reacting to external influences that are attempting to erode their way of life with secular and cosmopolitan values.
- Therefore, they use religion as a form of cultural defence to protect their belief systems and heritage.
- E.g. Islamic State.
Secular fundamentalism
- Davie claims that fundamentalism is not confined to religion.
- This can be evidenced by an increase in support for far right political groups in western societies who are ‘protecting’ conservative values that were once dominant but no longer respected by the liberal majority.
Test yourself on Fundamentalism
Which sociologist believes that globalisation has triggered the recent rise in fundamentalism due to the rapid promotion of cosmopolitan values?