Fundamentalism

dictionary definition: a form of a religion, especially Islam or Protestant Christianity, that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture

Britannica definition: type of militantly conservative religious movement characterized by the advocacy of strict conformity to sacred texts. Once used exclusively to refer to American Protestants who insisted on the inerrancy of the Bible, the term fundamentalism was applied more broadly beginning in the late 20th century to a wide variety of religious movements.

This relates to Islam in the most direct sense. Islamic fundamentalist interpret the Quran in a very literal sense. They also believe that only their understanding of Islam is legitimate.

This shows how fundamentalists, be they Muslim, Christian, or whatever, can often be violent or resort to military means to achieve their goals and promote their own interests.

Poem by Naomi Shihab Nye: "Fundamentalism"

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Because the eye has a short shadow or

it is hard to see over heads in the crowd?

If everyone else seems smarter

but you need your own secret?

If mystery was never your friend?

If one way could satisfy

the infinite heart of the heavens?

If you liked the king on his golden throne

more than the villagers carrying baskets of lemons?

If you wanted to be sure

his guards would admit you to the party?

The boy with the broken pencil

scrapes his little knife against the lead

turning and turning it as a point

emerges from the wood again

If he would believe his life is like that

he would not follow his father into war

This poem examines the reasons that people become fundamentalists. Many people are uncomfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, and they are attracted to the certainty that fundamentalism offers.