Fundamentalism is a branch of organized religion that is difficult to define. In my understanding, it promotes the Bible as the sole authoritative source of Christian theology. It usually refers only to the King James translation of the scriptures. There are also some fundamentalist versions of Islam.

In contemporary terms, it more often refers to culturally (and politically) conservative attitudes, opinions, and beliefs. It emphasizes tradition. In my mind, it refers to the radical right in both cases. WASP (White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant) isn’t extreme enough. In the age of the Great Awakening around the turn of the 20th Century, the traditional doctrines focused on literal interpretations of the Bible in their theology. But those were simpler times, and the United States was not as culturally or racially diverse as it is now. Yes, we had ethnic and racial minorities from the beginning, but we were primarily Christian in some form or other. The Protestant denominations were more homogeneous within their groups even though they were sharply divided among each other.

“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue,” according to Barry Goldwater’s speechwriter. Newt Gingrich probably did more to mix religion and politics and to use religion as part of his party’s marketing strategy. His opponents were socialists, communists, and “un-godly.” But it took Trump to actively promote hate and division as a political strategy to attack his opponents. Mixed with fear and lies, he produced a cult-like following that seemed like a MAGA version of the Branch Davidians and Jim Jones and the People’s Temple. He did nothing to discourage his followers from comparing him with Jesus Christ.

A lot of “evangelical” proselytizing is in fact a cover for racism. They want to convert anyone who isn’t a “Christian,” primarily people of color. A lot of White Supremacists favor quoting the Bible. Of course, the Bible can be interpreted in different ways, and at least in part, is the source of the Jewish and Islamic traditions. Accordingly, Abraham is considered the religious father of us all.

Some would say that fundamentalism is as much a cultural phenomenon as a religious one. If you use that in the context of Islam, that may be applicable in comparing primitive and modern versions of the religion. Islam has many versions, as do most of the World’s Great Religions. Christianity just happens to be one of the newest and most diverse. Fundamentalists dictate that you must follow their brand of Protestant dogma, which is very narrowly defined. It offers no opportunity for different interpretations of the Bible. That is my primary objection. Methodists sometimes are accused of having no official theology, but I believe in the Wesleyan quadrilateral: scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. In other words, it is not rigid. It is open to interpretation of the individual to bring to life through the personal experience of the Holy Spirit. It is not a catechism; it is a personal relationship with Jesus. Unfortunately, that freedom of interpretation has led to the split of the denomination.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.