What Makes a Fundamentalist Become a Fundamentalist?

Question

Having read through a lot of questions and answers relating to fundamentalism it would seem that many people think that they (I'm referring to terrorists as opposed to more peaceful, yet fundamental, believers) have been forced into their actions. That is to say as a result of oppression, desperation, poverty or a combination of these. If this is the case, surely they are trying to promote the very thing that has caused them anguish?

To God is love. I'm not 'trying to be deep', I'm asking a valid question. As to why we should understand I would have thought this was obvious, especially to someone who has a handle like yours.

Answer 1

The driving factor is a burning inner frustration with social or sexual reality that is taken advantage of by Fundamentalist demagogues. These people appeal to several core sentiments that all Fundamentalists, whether of the Focus on the Family Protestant whacko variety, the al-Qaeda Islamic whacko variety, the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish whacko variety, the Shiv Sena Hindu whacko variety, or whatever, have in common. These are:

(1) Rage towards women's liberation, manifested as hatred towards liberated women and towards gays and lesbians;
(2) Radical opposition to the idea of secular government or pluralistic society;
(3) Intolerance of all other religious beliefs;
(4) Belief that the Divine Order can be established on Earth only by authoritarian, brutal means, and that the end justifies these means.

Answer 2

FUNDAMENTALIST One who believes the Bible is literally true and must be followed exactly. That makes them ideologues and not true Christians!!!! Ideology is not a belief system as such but is a well understood psychological state that compels them to act as they do!!! That is why fundamentalists have all the bad human traits - intolerance, egotism, hatred and bigotry. They have lost touch with the loving and forgiving god and fallen under the influence of the Antichrist to cause damage to Christianity and destroy it from the inside!!!

Answer 3

An Atheist reads religious Holy Books and is repulsed by their brutality and backward morals.

A Fundamentalist read religious Holy Books and follows them near enogh to the word. Therefore; they most likely become fundamentalist due to lack of morals and/or intelligence with some pressure on them to follow the religion (whether hard or light pressure)

Answer 4

You are trying to be deep but what are you saying...that being fundamental is a individual way of thinking it can change with anyones personal values? Is your brain altered by your own opinion or the opinion of others. We can only guess. Some things are not worth trying to figuring out.....what is the use?

Answer 5

I'm of the opinion that fundamentalism is intellectually easy...this book/philosophy/author/parent/president says this, so I believe it verbatim. When we get lazy, we embrace easy ideas and lifestyles.

The easiest thing for someone who has spent their lives escaping adversity and pain to do is to embrace something, anything, that gives them relief from their struggles. Fundamentalism does this...

Answer 6

Some combination of the following (I know, I used to be one):

#1 - ignorance
#2 - fear
#3 - hatred (sometimes)
#4 - intolerance

Education will combat all of the above!!!

Answer 7

Studies show on average that fundamentalist have below the norm educations and IQs so I would say simply put its stupidity. That is as diplomatically I can make it.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 8

I think its something already messed up in their psyche. I'm a pretty peaceful guy and I don't see how my religious beliefs will change that. I believe violent people will use any excuse to justify their actions.

Answer 9

I think people are becoming confused with extreme fundamentalists who do not respect the will of others.

Answer 10

Literalism.