Religion: Fundamentalism

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Religion Fundamentalism
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• What does religious fundamentalism mean to you?
  What is it?
• What is secularization?
• In what ways have you heard fundamentalism being
  discussed around youin class, in everyday life,
  in the media?
• How does fundamentalism impact the larger
  society? Why is it something to be aware of?

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Fundamentalism

• Generic fundamentalism
• Global religious impulse to go return to the
  defining principles of the religion
• Takes cues from a sacred text
• Advocate clear-cut roles for men women, parents
  children, priests laity
• Seeks to minimize distinction between government
  and church
• See themselves as separate

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Fundamentalism

• Historic Fundamentalism
• Includes features of generic fundamentalism, but
  refers to the religious movement in the late
  1800searly 1900s
• Fundamentals of historic Christian teachings
• Conversion experience through faith in Christ
• Accuracy of the Bible
• Imminent return of Christ to earth

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Religion in the U.S.

• Late 1800searly 1900s
• Christian Fundamentalism
• 1925
• Fundamentalism takes a blow with the public in
  the Scopes trial

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Religion in the U.S.

• After WWII
• Mainstream denominations reaffirmed
• 1960s and 1970s
• Mainstream religion became more liberal, more
  active in social change
• 1970s and 1980s
• Revived Fundamentalism, televangelism

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Religion in the U.S.

• Religious liberals
• Define morality in terms of individual choice
  protection of individual rights
• Religious conservatives
• Define morality in terms of traditional values
  health of society as a whole