Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00449)

-Dear Perry,

Here is a link to a site with info on fundamentalism:

http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/western/bldef_fundamentalism.h
tm?terms=go

and a quote about family resemblances between different fundamentalisms:

religious idealism is used as a foundation for personal and communal 
identity; 
truth is revealed and unified; 
fundamentalism is intentionally "scandalous" (i.e., makes dramatic an 
fundamentals challenges to prevailing norms); 
members are part of a cosmic struggle; 
historical events are reinterpreted in light of their cosmic struggle; 
opposition is demonized (because the opposition is on the opposite side 
of the cosmic struggle); 
what parts of their tradition and heritage are stressed are chosen 
selectively; 
men almost always control positions of power; 
the modernist cultural hegemony is envied, eve as they try to overturn 
it; 
the erosion of religion and its proper role in society is normally 
presented as their primary concern; 
some form of Manicheanism (dualism) is used; 
absolutism and inerrancy in their sources of revelation is stressed; 
some form of Millennialism or Messianism is used. 

Now, briefly, to your questions:

-- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Perry Coles" <perrycoles@y...> wrote:
> Hi All,
> The word fundamentalist is a word that immediately evokes fear in 
> people's minds.
> 
Fear due to the fact that fundamentalism Christianity has made huge 
advances in political power in the US, and now the country is committed 
to an endless war with fundamentalist Islam, with ramifications for 
everyone else on the globe.

> As a point of discussion perhaps it may be helpful to discuss what do 
> we mean by fundamentalist.

See above. In brief, a dogmatic, aggressive scriptural literalist.
> 
> What is it about fundamentalism that makes it dangerous and against 
> freedom?
> 
Adherence to doctrine overrides all considerations of human compassion 
and understanding. Hence, they are a danger to their neighbors. 

> What types of mindsets do fundamentalists have?

"We have all the answers and if you don't accept them you are our enemy 
and the enemy of God [the Masters, whatever]"

> 
> How can theosophy help in a world that seems fixated with black and 
> white concepts and simplistic beliefs?
> 
Whatever help it could give humanity has long since been given; opening 
Western minds to the truth claims of Eastern religions. Now it lacks 
the cultural influence to effect any such changes. All it can do is 
help its adherents develop a more inclusive and peaceful mindset.

Cheers,

Paul