Open AccessFundamentalism and its stereotypes
Author(s) -
Amritha Venkatraman
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
međunarodni problemi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0690
pISSN - 0025-8555
DOI - 10.2298/medjp0602007v
Subject(s) - fundamentalism , islamic fundamentalism , ideology , islam , connotation , sociology , term (time) , political science , religious studies , social psychology , psychology , philosophy , politics , law , theology , linguistics , physics , quantum mechanics
The author explains that in its origin the term fundamentalism has no direct negative or violent connotation. However, this term has often been applied to those who resort to violence based on the ideological or religious adherence. Historically, most of fundamentalists have been moderate and apply passive and peaceful methods in their activities. Only active fundamentalists use extreme measures to achieve their religious ideals. The heightening existence of the active fundamentalism, and the disruption caused by it, leads to the projection that all fundamentalists are inherently violent in nature. This stereotype has been imposed on Islam particularly in the post-September 11, 2001 period. Investigating the relationship between Islam and fundamentalism the author asserts that, even though fundamentalism can exist in Islam, not all Muslim fundamentalists are active and violent