Is fundamentalism going to destroy religion?

Question

Fundamentalism, the infantile literalist interpretation of scriptures, is promoting narrow-mindedness, hatred, intolerance and is at the root of the "War on Terror" which pits fundamentalist Muslims against fundamentalist Christians. It prevents people from realizing the truth that all faiths expound the same teachings: to love thy neighbour as thy self.

Will it continue to hold sway over millions, undermining the teachings of the prophets fundamentalists claim to follow? Or will faith that is consistent with the God-given intelligence to see the world as it is, rather than how we wish it were, prevail?

Answer 1

Extremism from all religions is an evil thing. Extremism causes rifts among those God wants to unite. As for will it destroy religion, well personally I feel that religion itself is the enemy of God. All religions, denominations, sects, whatever, use man-made rules instead of Scripture, Koran, Torah, etc. Religions use the Word of God as a weapon to beat ppl with instead of to learn how to live with God. No where in the Bible does it say not to drink alcohol. It says don't get drunk for the simple reason that when ppl get drunk they do really stupid things. No where does it say not to dance, to appreciate music, to keep women behind veils. And yet, because of religion, we are all told that is what God wants. For myself, well I'll listen to God and God only.

Answer 2

Your question is too open-ended and leading.

Fundamentalism will defeat itself like many well-meaning heresies over time. Episcopalianism defeated Episcopalians, but they didn't have anything to do with the Hindus.

Will it defeat religion? Of course not. You're telling me fundamentalism will defeat Buddism? Or original Christianity? Of course not again. Fundamentalism is not the original Christianity. It seeds were planted by Martin Luther and has "evolved" into a religion of convenient emotions. (Little harsh I know, but just trying to make a point.)

Answer 3

YES. as far as christianity is concerned. they are supposed to be following the teaching of Jesus the Christ. But instead of using the New testamet they are using the Old testaments to justify thier point of view. Also many of the books that would help fill in gaps were deleted from the christian bible as being to jewish in nature.The King James Verision is well named. as King James had certain parts rewritten or deleted as they stood in his way and tied his hands about thngs he wanted to do.
The crusades to claim jerlusalam as an all chistian city is at the bottom of most of the fundamentilist muslium hatred of christians as they also claim the area as part of mohamads kingdom.
The area is at least claimed by four religions as thier most religious place.
most claim it as they are desandants of the first people made on earth.
The rest are fighting over what they have been fighting over for who knows how long. that being water,grazing land. gardening, and of course raiding for women also animals . whoever had the most and could keep what they obtained was declared a ruler.

Answer 4

First, to all westerners (or people with western education background), please try to understand that from the Islamic perspective or some eastern's teaching (if not all), "Fundamentalist" may have a different meaning or connotation from the meaning given by western thinkers/philosophers.

If "Fundamentalist" refers to a group of people who misinterpreted the true teaching of a religion, then Islamic teaching rejects this type of group.

However if "Fundamentalist" refers to a group of people who adheres to the true teaching of Islam [such as when Islam teaches its followers to do good things, they do good things; when Islam teaches its followers to help others, they follow the teaching and help others], then "Fundamentalist" is not a group of bad persons.

Muslims normally refer "Fundamentalist" in the second definition. For group of people who have no open mind and want to kill innocent people, all knowledgable Muslims reject this type of group and call them deviation groups.

So, if you asked a Muslim whether he is a "Fundamentalist" or not? If he answer yes; don't start labelling him as a terrorist etc as he may means that he adheres to the true teaching of Islam. Some of the teachings of Islam are encouraging its followers to help others and to do good things.

Answer 5

Yes, you are absolutely correct. Most of the religions were created in ancient times, we cannot hold on to all the fundamentals in 21st Century. Fundamentalism is the biggest threat to religion.

Answer 6

not completely. christianity has survived many things the dark ages the inqusition the crusades the holocaust, as long as there is a bible there will always be someone that going to pick it up and claim it as truth. if christianity were to die completely it means that people whould have to find all the bibles and destroy them and then burn the churches and crosses too.

Answer 7

There's a dialectic between fundamentalism and less literal interpretations. It's that kind of tension that keeps theology interesting. After all, how would doctrinal liberals know they are doctrinal liberals if there were no doctrinal conservatives?

Answer 8

religion is great at destroying the world. it's great at relieving people the hard work of thinking for themselves. instead, they can look to some book or holy leaders for guidance. then, they can pit themselves against people of other faiths.

religion divides, hurts, kills.

only once people start thinking for themselves and seeing the world as it is, will religions stop holding so many people hostage.

Answer 9

it fairly is been around in greater severe types for 1000's of years and hasn't destroyed us yet. no longer that its a favorable element, I basically think of "destroying" is overstating it, being too dramatic.

Answer 10

ANYTHING that put's you into Bondage of Hate, Fear, Pride, so on, is not of GOD.
The TRUTH set's you FREE.
YEP, JESUS can and will set EVERYBODY FREE of all of those sinful and cursed and demonic thing's, IF they will let HIM.
Ask JESUS to come into your HEART and SAVE you, from HELL and all of it's Trimming's.
Ditto...