What, in your opinion, constitutes a fundamentalist?

Question

(I know the definition. I'm looking for opinions here.)

For example, are Jehovah's Witnesses considered fundamentalists? They don't believe that the earth is 6,000 years old or that the creative days were 24 hours each.

I've been looking in to their beliefs recently and it's raised a few questions in my mind.

Answer 1

The official website of Jehovah's Witnesses explains why they do not consider themselves to be fundamentalists.
http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm

[quote]
Are you fundamentalists?
While we have strong religious convictions, we are not fundamentalists in the sense that the term has come to be used. We do not believe that every passage in the Bible is to be interpreted literally. We do not pressure political leaders to promote a certain point of view, nor do we resort to demonstrations and violence against those who disagree with us. The Bible teaches Christians to be kind, good, mild, and reasonable—qualities that do not allow for the kind of fanaticism that is sometimes associated with fundamentalism.—James 3:17.
[unquote]

Answer 2

Well fundamentalist to the media and average person means someone who takes religion to an unhealthy extreme. But in the theological realms, being a fundamentalist means that you believe the traditional plain teachings of your beliefs IE: the fundamentals. There is always a temptation to abandon core fundamental values of any belief system and take it in a new direction. Fundamentalists believe in sticking to the fundamentals. I dont know how it ever became a slander in todays society.

Answer 3

When I hear 'fundamentalist' I associate it with a literal bible interpretation (ie create the universe in 6, 24hour days), and usually a charismatic evangelical delivery.

Fundamentalists in my experience have little tolerance for anything that doesn't come from the Bible. More concerning they seem to have little tolerance for anything that doesn't come from the mouth of their leader.

I believe that JWs are usually put in a separate category, including separating themselves. Their literal interpretation of the bible is similiar but there are some LARGE theology divergences.

Answer 4

To me, a fundamentalist is someone who can't think outside of what their chosen religion specifically tells them. You usually see these people blindly quoting scripture from their chosen holy book as an answer to everything.

These people let their belief seep into every aspect of their lives ... and therefore want it to be a part of everyone else's, as well.

Answer 5

A fundamentalist is a person who believes the most basic beliefs in any religion.
A liberal is a person who doubts certain aspects (like the divinity of Jesus, who wrote the Bible etc.)

Answer 6

Someone who rigidly remains closed to any interpretations of their beliefs that are not in sync with what they think is true. It typically involves taking metaphorical language very literally and actively ignoring and dismissing logical thinking because the mind knows that there's something not quite correct there.

Answer 7

As I understand it fundamentalists believe every thing in the Bible to be literal, ie, no illustrations, etc. (If not please let me know) On this basis no we are not fundamentalists. Also WE are not CULTISTS.

Answer 8

When I think of a 'fundie' I usually think of someone with such a rabid, literal devotion to their interpretation of their faith they suspend all reason. I usually tie them very closely to evangelicals. I also automatically think 'dispensational premellinialism' for some reason if it's a christian fundie, though the two aren't necessarily the same.

~Morg~