January/February 2002

FUNDAMENTALISM
Breeding Ground for Fanaticism?

by Keith Stump

An American?" asked the surprised Syrian, not quite believing what he had heard.

"Yes," I replied. "I'm here to study your archaeological sites."

It was an exceptionally hot day, and I had retreated into the coolness of the centuries-old Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where I was sitting against a pillar studying a map.

"You are a Muslim?" he asked.

"No, Christian."

He paused to think.

"You are welcome here," he continued. "Not all Muslims hate Americans."

He was referring to the terrorist bombing in neighboring Lebanon just a month earlier (in April 1983), in which more than 60 people were killed in an explosion at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. It had been carried out by a Hezbollah suicide bomber driving a van carrying 2,000 pounds of explosives.

"There is much evil in the world, much that is not of God," he went on. "Islam is not a religion of hate, but some have strayed from the true path."

"We Christians have those too," I replied.

Fringe Element

Most Muslims reject violent extremism. Most seek a peaceful life. They view the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as incompatible with Islamic teachings.

Terrorists find their philosophical home on the fringe of Islam. But the fringe can do enormous damage.

In the wake of the attacks of September 11, religious fundamentalism has become the subject of intense discussion. The Western media routinely uses the label Islamic fundamentalists to describe members of militant groups, especially terrorists, who thrive on the fringe of Islam.

Islamic fundamentalism is an ideological movement that seeks a return to fundamental Islamic principles as the guiding force in creating an Islamic state. It aims at Islamizing law, institutions and government -- that is, applying a strict interpretation of Islam's basic principles to all aspects of social, political and economic life.

Islamic fundamentalism is a reaction against modernist movements that have westernized the Muslim world. Fundamentalists see their movement as an alternative to the corrupting culture of market capitalism. They seek to rescue those who have strayed from their Islamic heritage (editor's note: see page 14, "An Islamic Reformer").

There are, of course, several versions of the fundamentalist movement within Islam, with differing views on strategies.

The radical elements -- a small minority -- favor violent action, including terrorism, if necessary. The more moderate fundamentalists, by contrast, condemn violence, believing that political change can be brought about without extremist measures. They too are militant, but largely nonviolent. They work aggressively within existing political systems, confident that a gradual Islamization of society through dialogue and grassroots education will eventually lead to the creation of a genuinely Islamic state.

It is not surprising, then, that many conservative Muslims object to the media's indiscriminate use of the term "fundamentalist." They do not want to be pigeonholed with terrorists like Osama bin Laden. And indeed, the stereotype of fundamentalist violence is neither fair nor valid.

But like it or not, violent Islamic terrorists who maim and kill spring from the values of fundamentalism.

In Every Faith

Religious extremism is not confined to the Middle East. It exists in every faith.

The term fundamentalist is widely used to describe any ultra-conservative or reactionary religious group, including Christians,

Jews and Hindus as well as Muslims. A common dictionary definition of fundamentalism is "a strict and literal approach to a religion."

In fact, the word fundamentalism originated within Christianity. Long before it was used in reference to Muslims, the term was being used to define some Christian denominations.

It was first applied early in the 20th century to conservative Protestant movements that arose in the United States in reaction to the growing secularity of society -- movements that advocated the interpretation of the Bible in a strictly literal sense (editor's note: see page 13, "Origin of Christian Fundamentalism"). Only later was it applied to similar movements within other religions.

All fundamentalists define themselves in opposition to liberalism and modernity, vehemently opposing the religious and moral threats they perceive in society around them.

For the purposes of this article, we will use the term "fundamentalist" to denote radical and extreme professions of faith. While there is such a thing as moderate Christian and Moslem fundamentalism, it is important to note that fanatical and sometimes violent extremes of fundamentalism shape a fundamentalist world-view.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Christian and Islamic fundamentalists have some important features in common. A comparison reveals a variety of striking similarities, outlined below.

Fundamentalism, of course, is not a unified, homogenous phenomenon in any religion. Not every fundamentalist movement exhibits each of the following characteristics in equal measure. And, of course, some of these traits can be found in churches and mosques outside the fundamentalist purview.

With those qualifications, Christian and Islamic fundamentalists share several defining characteristics, none of which are an integral part of either faith.

Fundamentalists are:

1. Authoritarian. Fundamentalism demands unwavering obedience to ecclesiastical authority. Its power over the individual is near absolute. This often comes, however, at the expense of the more compassionate elements of the faith.

No believers of any faith, including Christians and Muslims, operate in a more regimented manner than fundamentalists. Power is concentrated in a leadership elite that holds unquestioned sway over its members. This authority extends even to purely personal matters of one's private life. Often severe and inflexible in discipline, fundamentalist authoritarians evoke fear and guilt with overly controlling methods and practices.

2. Legalistic. Legalism -- a works-based system of salvation -- is one of the hallmarks of fundamentalism. Fundamentalists reduce their scriptures to a string of rules and regulations, demanding strict and rigid adherence -- not only as a criterion of acceptance in the organization, but as a means to salvation.

Like other Christians, Christian fundamentalists preach salvation as a gift of God. In actual practice however, a works-oriented approach to living the Christian life is the order of the day.

A scrupulous keeping of the law as the basis of righteousness and salvation is also a hallmark of Islamic fundamentalism. The fundamentalist's relationship with

God is governed by the intricacies of Islamic law. It extends into every aspect of life -- from marriage and family to education and finances. To deviate is to risk the wrath of God.

Legalism, an excessive and intrusive system of continuously earning merits and fulfilling the demands of demerits, is a common denominator in religious cults, both those based on Islam and Christianity.

3. Anti-Intellectual. Fundamentalism demands believers, not thinkers. The powerful fundamentalist belief system prevents converts from examining information presented by any source other than its own. Knowledge from other sources is condemned as "dangerous to the faith."

Fundamentalists are convinced that liberal scholars want to wipe out religion. True believers must stand firm against compromise, be on guard against worldly thinking and secular learning, holding to revealed truth.

The net effect: fundamentalism favors stability over innovation, predictability over experimentation, conformity over original thought.

4. Sexist. Fundamentalist movements invariably espouse an ideology of male dominance. The male holds a privileged position. Women are marginalized. It's part of the divine order.

Islamic fundamentalists impose the veil (not required by the Koran) and relegate women to subservient roles, segregating them and often denying them education and legal and economic rights.

Christian fundamentalists likewise take a patriarchal view of the family, generally assigning women to the role of homemakers with lesser social value and personal worth than their husbands. But the Bible teaches that Christian unity transcends sexual distinctions, there being "neither male nor female" in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

5. Apocalyptic. Fundamentalists tend to view human affairs as a vast battleground of good versus evil, where supernatural forces continually vie for influence and control. They see God's -- or Satan's -- hand in every turn of events, and predict judgment to come upon the earth because of people's wickedness.

Christian fundamentalists routinely scour newspapers for clues and often set dates for the return of Jesus to establish his 1,000-year reign on earth. Muslims also believe in a day of judgment when humanity will stand before God. As with Christian fundamentalists, Muslim zealots often regard the "Last Day" as being imminent. Historically, radical Islam has been prone to apocalyptic violence, with self-proclaimed messiahs or mahdis rising up periodically to lead the faithful.

6. Judgmental. The rigidity of fundamentalism lends itself to claims of moral superiority and to its counterpart -- judgmentalism.

Fundamentalists often presume to speak for God, interpreting events, wars and catastrophes as God's judgment. This sort of judgmental rhetoric was most recently evident in comments by Jerry Falwell (and seconded by broadcaster Pat Robertson) in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Falwell claimed the United States had lost God's protection because of its sins, and that God was allowing the enemies of America "to give us probably what we deserve."

Falwell's outrageous remarks caused many to further dismiss Christianity, as fundamentalism has unfortunately become synonymous with Christianity in the minds of many people.

Falwell quickly issued a qualified apology, though those familiar with his longstanding views know that he had stated his theological convictions perfectly.

7. Intolerant. The uncompromising inflexibility of fundamentalist Christianity incites bigotry and intolerance in much the same way as Islamic fanaticism.

Though they demand it for themselves, radical Christian fundamentalists seem to be unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression to others. Examples are legions of fundamentalists persecuting those who hold divergent beliefs.

Fundamentalist intolerance is directed toward those in its own ranks who do not measure up. A backslider may be tolerated for a time -- but not for a long time -- before being excluded from the communion of the church and ostracized for his or her stubborn sinfulness. Such undesirable elements must be shunned, fundamentalists believe.

8. Separatistic. In pursuit of "purity," fundamentalists tend to withdraw from mainstream society into their own holy enclaves. Modern society is corrupt and immoral, and is perceived as a threat to traditional religious values.

Like Islamic fundamentalists who separate themselves from those who "pollute Islamic culture," Christian fundamentalists distance themselves from the world and its depravity.

Fundamentalists are intensely involved in their local congregations, virtually to the exclusion of meaningful interaction with the world at large. Everything centers around the church. They take pride, in fact, in being outsiders (i.e. superior) to modern culture.

Separation often leads to exclusivism -- claims that one small sect, fringe group or cult is the "one and only" legitimate, authentic and faithful representative of its religion.

9. Militant. Militancy is implicit in the very nature of fundamentalism. Fundamentalists are fighting for God -- doing battle against the forces of godlessness. An aggressive, combative and confrontational approach is thus the norm.

As noted previously, many fundamentalists also have a violent component. These extremists interpret their scriptures in a more militant way and act accordingly.

In Islam, it's jihad. Fundamentalists interpret jihad as "holy war" against Islam's enemies -- active armed struggle in defense of Islam, which can include acts of terrorism. (Moderate Muslims view jihad as the struggle of each person within himself to live a holy life.)

To date, Christian fundamentalists have committed few acts of terror. Some few have been tied to abortion clinic bombings and shootings. There have also been acts of

anti-government violence by the Christian Identity groups (which have roots in fundamentalism and to which Timothy McVeigh appears to have been connected).

Terrorism of the Soul

Christian fundamentalism is as toxic in its own way as Islamic fundamentalism. The same brand of religious extremism that resulted in the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon is manifest in an ongoing spiritual terrorism that, in a very real sense, is even more devastating and destructive.

It is a terrorism of the soul.

The toxic, legalistic beliefs of Christian fundamentalism wreak havoc on the human spirit. Mental slavery is the worst of all slaveries. Untold numbers of intelligent, energetic, promising people of all ages have unwittingly given up their individuality and freedom of mind to become slaves to a bastardized Christianity void of spirituality.

Jesus decried the religious leaders of his day for attaching greater importance to their traditions and the minutia of lawkeeping than on weightier matters such as love, mercy and forgiveness. It is an admonition that has largely gone unnoticed by fundamentalist leaders.

In the name of God, radical fundamentalists spiritually abuse their trusting flocks. In the name of the Bible they impose legalistic strictures that choke off the joy of salvation. Rather than helping to relieve worries, fears and oppressions, they "tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders" (Matthew 23:4).

Christian fundamentalism has alienated vast segments of our society that need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of its high media visibility, fanatical fundamentalism has become synonymous with Christianity in the minds of many people. And it embodies everything they see as bad about religion.

The arrogance and buffoonery of its televangelists has provoked the hostility or indifference of millions of seekers whose lives might have been changed for the better by the teachings of Jesus.

In chilling words, Jesus warned against this very circumstance, declaring that it would be better for an offender to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Breaking Free

There is a profound conflict between extreme fundamentalism and biblical Christianity.

Fundamentalism is, in essence, a betrayal of the Christianity it purports to represent. Its beliefs are dramatically at odds with the values that Jesus taught. It is a legalistic religion without love and compassion, worshipping a God of anger, wrath and vengeance -- a petty, humanized entity who becomes petulant if not continually appeased.

Fundamentalists are trapped within a matrix of belief, a framework of unreality from which they cannot break free -- because they believe they are free! They fail to recognize their bondage for the terrible curse that it is.

For some, it will only be when they have hit bottom -- when the self-destructiveness of fundamentalism has run its course and their illusions lie in ruin -- that they will at last come to recognize the full extent of their enslavement to the absurdities of fundamentalist propaganda and finally break free from the grip of spiritual abuse.

Others may be helped by the patient understanding and example of nonlegalistic Christians whose lives illuminate the reality of Jesus Christ.

We must distance ourselves from all elements of the destructive fundamentalist mindset. We must cease being beggars and pleaders and grovelers, and become companions of God! Only then will we know the true joy of living, and feel the full warmth of God's eternal and unconditional love. 

California resident Keith Stump is a writer, historian and archaeologist.

Hallmarks of Fundamentalism Fundamentalism exists within all major religions. Fundamentalism offers appeals to the ego ("join us and be one of the only true way") as well as fear ("you are lost without our teachings and membership within our group"). Fundamentalism is attractive because it offers a simple and convenient world-view. Fundamentalists generally share the following viewpoints: 1) Fundamentalists are exclusivists. Their view is usually taught as the sole path to salvation. 2) The opposition is demonized. The opposition often includes even those of their own religious orientation. 3) Historical events and leaders are reinterpreted in the light of the group's own struggle. 4) Truth is revealed, often not simply through a holy book, but to the individual leader of the specific fundamentalist group. Strict doctrinal conformity to the group's teachings is required. 5) Reality and truth are generally perceived from a two-valued perspective of good and evil. There are few neutral or gray areas. 6) Strict standards of behavior are required for membership, usually exceeding those mandated by Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Hinduism at large. 7) Leadership is usually male, charismatic and authoritarian. Fundamentalists usually see women as unequal, without the same dignity, rights or respect given to men. 8) Independent thought and critical thinking is not encouraged within fundamentalist groups. Education is not valued, sometimes prohibited, or at the very least not encouraged. Science and technology are suspect. 9) Love, compassion and mercy, given high value among all religions, are viewed skeptically by many fundamentalists as being weak and soft reactions of those who lack convictions.

Origin of Christian Fundamentalism Fundamentalism emerged early in the 20th century as a reaction to liberalizing trends in American Protestantism and the eroding effects of modernism in society. The conservative movement sought to protect Christianity from the watering down of the Christian message. The term "fundamentalism" was derived from a 12-volume collection of essays published by 64 British and American scholars and preachers between 1910 to 1915 under the title The Fundamentals. The goal of the writers was to advocate traditional interpretations of the Bible in the face of Darwinism, secularism and the emergence of liberal theology. In their view, they had gone back to the fundamentals of Christianity, in contrast to mainline denominations that tended to be what they viewed as theologically and culturally liberal. The result was the formation of independent churches and splinter denominations. In 1925, the celebrated Scopes Trial (aka "Monkey Trial") in Tennessee highlighted the growing debate between fundamentalist Christianity and secular science. Noted fundamentalist William Jennings Bryan successfully prosecuted John Scopes for teaching evolution in public schools, but the issue of the constitutionality of the Tennessee law was left unresolved. The trial significantly lessened fundamentalism's appeal. The movement became identified in the public mind with zealotry and anti-intellectualism. After World War II, the evangelical movement arose to correct some of the excesses of fundamentalism. In contrast to fundamentalists who tend toward separatism, evangelicals believe they should be involved in the culture in which they live. Fundamentalists saw evangelical efforts as compromising revealed truth. In the 1970s, fundamentalism was revived by extensive televangelism. In the late 1970s, fundamentalists began to embrace politics, attempting to rally religious conservatives as a force for social reform. Critics charged that the religious right sought the establishment of a Christian theocracy in America that would legislate morality and impose its religious views on others.

An Islamic Reformer Eighteenth century Muslim scholar Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab sounded a note familiar and common to all religious fundamentalists -- a return to pure, authentic and original Islam. Wahhabism rejected all changes and modifications that strayed from a strictly literal interpretation of the Koran or from the traditions of Mohammed. Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab was one of the first of the modern Moslem reformers who wished to gain political independence as well as their own religious and cultural identity. Abd al-Wahhab came from the Arabian peninsula and died there in 1792. His influence was not isolated to Arabia, but spread to other countries where his reforms continue to be followed today. The Saud family, who became the ruling dynasty of Arabia in 1932, included members who followed the teachings of fundamentalist Wahhabism. In the late 18th century ibn Saud, a Bedouin tribal leader, joined Wahhab to impose one of the most fundamentalist and narrow interpretations of Islamic law ever known. The Wahhabi sect in Saudi Arabia has provided much of the financing for the Taliban and other Afghan warlords.

Islam Islam, soon to be the world's largest religion, is also the world's fastest growing religion. An estimated 1.2 billion, approximately one quarter of the world's population, are Muslims. Countries with the largest Moslem populations include Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. There are many interpretations of the Koran, and thus many different kinds of Muslims. However, almost all groups fit within two main divisions -- the Sunni, who make up about 90 percent of all Muslims, and the Shia. Most extremist and terrorist groups now active are Sunni extremist groups (the Taliban are Sunnis). Islam is diverse, with its followers ranging from secularists who wish to separate religion and politics, and those who favor religious and political leaders to be one and the same. Leadership within Moslem countries today is a bewildering and confusing mix of religious mullahs, monarchs and military dictators. All military regimes in the world today, with one exception, are Moslem. Of the active conflicts in the world today, the vast majority involve Moslem governments. Moslem governments detain two-thirds of the world's political prisoners and carry out 80% of the executions every year. The roots of Islam include building, commerce and progress -- a far cry from the hatred, terror and destruction being caused by some of its modern true believers. The Taliban Talib means "seeker" in Arabic. The Taliban are Sunni traditionalists who want to return to the pure teachings of the Koran, and while they fit a fundamentalist definition, they are not as fundamentalist as the Wahhibi from Saudi Arabia. The Taliban enforces strict codes of dress, grooming and conduct including long beards for men and the wearing of the full length burqa for women. Practices and activities prohibited by the Taliban include education for women, employment outside the home for women, television, music, movies, alcohol, photography, soccer, volleyball and chess. Mullah Mohammad Omar became the supreme leader of the Taliban in 1996 when 1,000 Moslem clergymen appointed him to that position. His goals are to rid Afghanistan of all Western influences and establish the rule of Islamic law throughout the country. The Taliban is best known in North America for providing refuge and support to Osama bin Laden as well as for their virtual war on women.   Al-Qaeda Arabic for "The Base." Founded by Osama bin Laden in 1989, governed by a shura council which is divided into four committees -- military, finance, public relations and religious. Membership in the Al-Qaeda is given upon taking the bayat oath, which has been compared to the omerta oath taken within the Mafia. The soldiers of Al-Qaeda have infiltrated nations around the world with a fanatical commitment to their cause, fueled by their hatred of the United States, their worst enemy. Highly motivated young Muslims who have taken the bayat live furtively in cell groups, masquerading as workers in dead-end jobs, waiting the call to destroy, butcher and maim. Al-Qaeda has many legitimate commercial and business ventures that operate as fronts for their real business of murder and mayhem.

Fanatical Fundamentalists Fanatics can come from any faith. Shown here are fanatics and true believers from the Islamic and Christian traditions. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Khomeini put the power of Islamic political revolution on the map and in the consciousness of Europe and North America with the Islamic revolution of 1979 in Iran. One year of rioting and battles led to the ouster of the Shah and the installation of the 80-year-old Muslim theologian who had launched this revolution from his suburban home in Paris. The United States was denounced by Khomeini as the "Great Satan." U.S. diplomats and their families were held hostage in Teheran for over a year, leading to the defeat of Jimmy Carter by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential elections. Osama bin Laden Born in Saudi Arabia in 1957 as the 17th son of 51 children of Muhammed bin Laden, a billionaire construction magnate who left a fortune reported to be in excess of $5 billion to his family. Bin Laden has been linked as the mastermind and financier to several of the last decade's most inhuman and barbaric acts of terrorism. Considered by CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen to be "diabolically intelligent," bin Laden has become a virtual folk hero to Muslim extremists around the world. The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan proved to be a graduate school of warfare for bin Laden, as he and many other "graduates" of the war in Afghanistan are now using their education to promote and launch acts of terror around the world. The United States was involved in training many of these warriors to fight communism, and in so doing helping to train and equip many dangerous Islamic terrorist groups that are active today. Bin Laden started the Al-Qaeda in 1989, and in 1998 The International Islamic Front for Holy War Against Jews and Crusaders, an umbrella organization linking Islamic terrorists around the world. This group issued an edict that called upon all Muslims to discharge their individual duty to "kill Americans and their allies, civilians and the military." Several months before the cowardly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, bin Laden declared war on all Americans, saying, "We don't differentiate between those dressed in military uniforms and civilians. They are all targets in this fatwa [a religious commandment Muslims must obey]." Ayman al-Aawahiri ("the Doctor") One of two considered to be bin Laden's successor in the event of bin Laden's capture or death (the other potential successor was Muhammed Atef). An Egyptian surgeon with a long list of terrorist crimes, "the Doctor" believes that violence is an act of purification. Aawahiri (also spelled Zawahiri) is the leader of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat and the attempted murder of Hosni Mubarak. Aawahiri is believed to be the operational commander of Al-Qaeda. Muhammed Atef Killed in mid-November. Had been a possible successor to bin Laden (the other potential successor is "the Doctor" (Ayman al-Aawahiri). Muhammed Atef was the co-founder of Al-Qaeda, and believed to be its military commander. David Koresh Born Vernon Wayne Howell in Houston, Texas, in 1959 to a 15-year old single mother, Koresh became leader of the Branch Davidians, an offshoot of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The sect was founded in 1935 by Victor Houteff, a Bulgarian immigrant obsessed with prophecy. Koresh joined the group in the 1980s, and had an affair with the sect leader Lois Roden, who was in her late 60s. After her death, Koresh's violent confrontation with her son resulted in Koresh's trial for attempted murder. After being released on a mistrial, Koresh took control of the group. In 1993, his militant apocalyptic and survivalist theology led to a protracted battle with federal agents near Waco, Texas, in which some 80 people lost their lives. Jim Jones A well-educated minister in the Christian Church, Jones founded the People's Temple -- an inter-racial mission for the sick, homeless and jobless in Indianapolis during the 1950s. His social gospel evolved into apostolic socialism. After moving his group to California, he began preaching the imminent end of the world in a nuclear war. When allegations of illegal activities were raised, he moved most of the group to Guyana. Jones taught that he and his followers would all die together and be taken to another planet for a life of bliss. In 1978 Congressman Leo Ryan and four others were killed during an investigative visit. Fearing retribution, Jones' followers decided to commit group suicide. 638 of his adult followers and 276 children died.

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