Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism is one of the most significant religious phenomena of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. It refers to a movement within a religion that seeks a return to what it considers the fundamental, original, pure form of the faith, rejecting compromise, liberalism, and modernity. Fundamentalist movements have emerged within Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and other religions. This lesson examines the characteristics of fundamentalism and the sociological explanations for its emergence.

Key Definition: Fundamentalism is a form of religion that emphasises the infallibility and literal truth of sacred texts, the strict observance of traditional practices, and resistance to modernisation, secularisation, and liberal theology. Fundamentalists seek to return to what they regard as the original, pure form of their faith.

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Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Sociologists have identified several features that are common to fundamentalist movements across different religions:

1. Textual Literalism

Fundamentalists insist on the literal, inerrant truth of their sacred texts. The Bible, the Quran, or whichever scripture is central to their tradition is treated as the direct, unmediated word of God — not as a historical document that can be interpreted metaphorically or contextually. Every word is considered divinely inspired and infallible.