Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00491)

Here is information about fundamentalism from Dictionary.com

"fun·da·men·tal·ism    
A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a 
return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those 
principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to 
secularism. 

often Fundamentalism An organized, militant Evangelical movement 
originating in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th 
century in opposition to Protestant Liberalism and secularism, 
insisting on the inerrancy of Scripture. 
Adherence to the theology of this movement. 

funda·mental·ist adj. & n. 
funda·mental·istic adj. 

fundamentalism

n : the interpretation of every word in the sacred texts as literal 
truth "

>From this you can see how fundamentalism has risen in Theosophical 
circles and it is extremely important to understand causes of it 
because people associated with Theosophy are involved in it.

Anand Gholap


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anand Gholap" <AnandGholap@A...> 
wrote:
> > -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