How do you disempower religious fundamentalists?

Question

I see religious fundamentalism as a serious threat to human rights around the world. What are ways to weaken a fundamentalist's ability to convert people?
History has shown that people who are downtrodden have a greater tendency to convert to a fundamentalist view of a religion. While this may provide short term benefits to the convertee in making them happier, it has long term consequences in terms of close-mindedness and isolationism, which leads to more serious problems, usually including violations of human rights.
Do you think that fundamentalist conversions could be prevented by uplifting the downtrodden, and if so, how do you do that? (Yes, I know that is a tall order...)
Or do you think that there will always be people who are a combination of weak-minded and power-hungry enough that they will fall in with any teachings that give them an upper hand (even if its at the expense of others)?
This question is aimed at religions in general.

1) I said disempower as in weaken. Not annihilate or destroy.

2) Weakening the ability of the converter to convert, not disempowering the person who makes the choice to convert.

3) Any specific kinds of education?

4) I did not say only the downtrodden convert. I said they have a greater tendency to convert.

5) If you are insulted by me describing as weak-minded people who take up a position of influence at the possible expense of the people around them and without realizing this fact, then that implies that you have either a) done it, or b) advocate it, and either way see nothing wrong with it. My description still stands.

6) Again, I'm talking about religious fundamentalists, not religious people in general.

Keep up the good work all. I like all the answers.

Answer 1

Educate their children.

We're doing that now, and it's only a matter of time. I quite honestly see the end of religion within the next 100 years.

Richard Dawkins was saying something similar just the other day. I think it was in the Washington Post. He is of the opinion that the majority of educated people in the US, even those that attend church, are really atheist/agnostic. They just don't put much thought into it, and/or don't want to admit it, due to the social stigma surrounding it.

I think that's entirely plausible. But regardless, as our children recieve better education, and the generations continue to grow intellectually, eventually, people will simply be too embarrassed to continue to believe in a god.

Answer 2

Christian fundamentalists are not empowered by you or a specific group, so to suggest that you can disempower them is quite asinine.

You also suggest that only downtrodden people are susceptible to religious conversion. I would disagree. The Bible and Secular history is full of reports of wealthy, intelligent people in positions of power being saved by the Holy Spirit.

You're insulting comment about "weak-minded" individuals is hilarious. But you'll never see the true arrogance of that comment so I won't belabor it.

You're obviously speaking on a subject that you have very little true knowledge in. Several subjects actually. You want to remove the rights of one population in the attempt to maintain human rights. You have no clue about the Happiness or Joy of salvation and it's long term effects. You speak of the close mindedness and isolation of the religious, who, according to Biblical teaching, accept all comers, while implying that your viewpoint is more open minded yet you eschew a large subset of the population by your elitist statements.

Right......

I really don't get you guys.

Answer 3

As long as a nation spends the vast majority of its budget on defense, rather than on education, health care, and affordable housing, you end up creating an environment where fundamentalist xenophobia, exclusivity, and hatred can breed and grow. So yes. The long term "fix" is to help the downtrodden through better education, health care, affordable housing, and here's the big one. "Opportunity."

This will NEVER happen as long as the nation's focus is on fear. Fear of the "other" better known now as fear of the "terrorist." As long as this pervasive, this mind-set is supported, true, positive change on a global level will be impossible. And it has always been such.

The "Commy Threat" of the 1950s.

Japanese interment camps during the second world war.

Gitmo today.

To create a shift in this fear-focus requires visionary leadership and the understanding that we all bleed the same color. And again. This will never happen as long as it is more profitable to incarcerate the majority of the nation's population in fear.

Answer 4

Education. Unfortunately, the US has gotten out of the foreign aid business, except for military and crisis aid.

The Islamic fundamentalists are fueling the growth of their memberships via schools. The Wahhabi of Saudi Arabia's oil money puts madrassa schools in many african and asian countries too poor for any other schools. They pay the families that send children. Here in the US, the most rigid and narrow political church groups home-school.

A good public eduaction would go a long way toward bringing these groups in line with western civilization, with which they are both at war.

Answer 5

See, the problem is it's pretty hard to sell meaningless life/death. It's even harder to sell "you die that's it, end of story." That kind of presentation scares people. The fact we are here is proof that life can be experienced by whetever it is that makes you experience yourself; death cannot be forever because forever cannot have a starting point. The fact is that your frequency will go on and off the air. Sell the cycle, not the end.

Answer 6

Good question.

I wish I knew. How can you seperate the consequences of free will and how much is the result of the deceiver? How can you tell how much of being downtrodden was created by satan in order for him to present a false god for you to falsely believe that you're being rescued?

Answer 7

The short answer is that there will always be leaders and there will always be followers. Since you are talking about religion, I think that religion will eventually fade away to a very small number. I also think that there will be something else that will fill the void.

Answer 8

WOW WESTWARD .. What a question or list of questions. I am a fundamentalist Christian, full gospel. and SIR you cant disempower any Christian, they receive their power from almighty God. you cant even put curses on us, but some witches try. We arent of our own power, but we have been given Gods power. and when you try to hurt a christian, it will curse you badly. you best rethink this situation.
Do I know that some get over zealous because they care and want so desperately to give you the truth about God. ??? YES, it happens. because we love so you much, even tho you hate us. Same with GOd. and remember He is quick to forgive, if you ask.
And yes, many downtrodden come to Christ. How great to find out there is one that always uncdontionally just loves you. Many have never had that at all. is it a crutch? NO. But, if it were, what a wonderful crutch to have. beats going it alone. huh? Are Christians small minded, not if they are truly of GOD. Are we determined to obey God fully and teach this to others? YES. BEcause God tells us obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curse. He doesnt do it, we do it by the choices we make.
We cant understand how someone can be so narrow minded, not stupid, just not KNOWING, as to choose a life apart from God, that leads to destruction, and misery? But, its each of our choices. You also always hve the possibllity of saying.. NO THANKS I AM NOT INTERESTED, and just walk away. we christians have no right to force this on anyone, just like you have no rights to try and hurt me for my believs. we all have a right to believe as we want. Even God gives free choice. But, He says if we choose Him and obedience, we will have a life here on earth where He will protect us, and that Heaven is only the frosting on an already delcious cake... amen. soo good. But, if we dont choose Him, we automatically choose hell. There wont be people in heaven, wanting to hurt others and to disempower them. then heven would be just like this earth, messed up.
Do you look around you and see all thats going on? WE have a nation that has rejected God and boy are we getting STUFF because of it. The Bible predicts this all. and it will get worse till Jesus comes. Whose side are you on. Choose today GOD before its too late. Lets all just love each other like we will in Heaven, and listen as God is calling us each one by name and saying CHOOSE SOON OR IT WILL BE TOO LATE. I will pray for you. and everyone else who doesnt know and love God.

Answer 9

Indeed and the increase in inequality in the Anglo-Saxon world is disturbing in the extreme, but I guess that makes me an atheist and a liberal so might as well go over to the devil right now according to many on this site.

Answer 10

I think you make a good case, but how would one lift up all the down-trodden? I think the fact that this is next to impossible is the reason we have religions.