NCJ Number
225415
Date Published
2007
Length
9 pages
Annotation
After analyzing the features of Protestant fundamentalism, this chapter examines whether these features of fundamentalism are applicable to an Islamic fundamentalist movement, with attention to the main doctrines of Turkish Hizbullah.
Abstract
The term “fundamentalism” dates back to an early 20th century conservative evangelical Protestant group that reacted to the modernism of the new 20th century. The term was inspired by the four-volume set of books called “The Fundamentals of the Faith,” published between 1910 and 1925. The term has come to be used in describing an organizational phenomenon characterized by a reactionary viewpoint that stems from a sense of alienation from the surrounding culture. This chapter broadly defines “fundamentalism” as “a categorical, uncompromising, and self-enclosing ideological mindset that is used by certain people in any society as a response or reaction to the current conditions of that society which threatens their material or intangible interests.” According to James Barr in his book entitled “Fundamentalism,” the main features of any kind of fundamentalism are the “exclusivist” nature of the ideology and the “oppositional” character of their thoughts. These two features of fundamentalism are applied to a specific religious fundamentalist group, the Turkish Hizbullah, in order to show that they are present in almost all of their claims and propaganda materials. They believe that they are the only followers of the true path of the Islamic religion; they also believe that their principles and dogmas are constantly being threatened, both internally and externally. These features of fundamentalism tend to intensify under organized criticism and opposition, which often increases their sense of isolation and distinction as the only true faith. A more constructive approach to fundamentalist groups is to give them representative participation in mainstream culture and keep communication channels open. 14 references