On June 17, 2015, a Google Alert came to my Inbox that included a link to The North Africa Post article: “Religious Leaders Discuss in Brussels ‘Living together and disagreeing well.'” Yay. A plea for civil discourse!
It turns out that 15 religious leaders from major religions met in Brussels, Belgium, in June this year around the time Hoyt, my husband, and I were in Bruges, Belgium. Wish I had known about it; I would’ve gone 🙂 Alas, other important leaders attended.
At the conference, the European Parliament Vice-President, Antonio Tajani (from Italy), who will evidently put into action ideas from the discussions, said, “radicalism and fundamentalism cannot be defeated unless all communities join efforts and stay together.”
Think so? Hope so…
Evidently, one thing they plan to do is “invest…in the future of our youth. We need policies which foster key values such as peace, solidarity and respect for human dignity among future generations…” YES!
If you’d like to read the North African Post’s article, click here – The article.
Some of my thoughts on fundamentalism
When I was a fundamentalist, I did not think I was a fundamentalist. The leader of my fundamentalist cult certainly did not advertise his group as such. We thought we had the truth of God’s Word, and any other group or religion “had to be wrong.” That’s a major feature of any kind of fundamentalism.
Since the European leaders at the conference plan to defeat fundamentalism and radicalism, I hope they asked themselves this: How do you know a fundamentalist when you see one? Or hear one? Besides the hideous beheadings, riots, and all the rest of the ugliness?
Have you ever talked with a fundamentalist about how to live life? It is difficult. In my experience, you can only get so far in a conversation with a hard-headed fundamentalist before you encounter a barrier, like police tape marking a crime scene, beyond which is the wasteland called “No Discussion.” I was trained in how to shut down a discussion. Believe me, the fundamentalist has earphones plugged into recordings of his ideology and he cannot hear you.
Since discussion doesn’t usually work, then what else can we do?
Perhaps knock over the assumptions that support the ideology? First you have to know the assumptions. Do we?
A logical approach like overturning assumptions is important, but let me say this: that to dismantle fundamentalism, we need to know how it was assembled in the first place. We have much homework to do.
Personal disclosure: I am a faithful viewer of international mystery shows. One thing I’ve learned from watching them is that to apprehend suspects, investigators must find out as much information about suspects as possible. What are their habits? Who are their friends? Where do they go on a regular basis? What is their past record? etc. That info helps them be effective and swift in their work.
So, how well informed are we about fundamentalism, besides witnessing its extreme violence in some parts of the world, and other signs, like the fact its adherents shun debate, a cornerstone of democracy?
Educate ourselves
To anyone worried about fundamentalism, I say one essential book to read is Karen Armstrong’s masterful work, The Battle for God, A History of Fundamentalism. I think it would start some good conversations.
How do we motivate fundies to quit their “fun?”
One major roadblock is that the vast majority of fundamentalists do not think their fundamentalism is a problem. To them, it is an asset. And it’s no ordinary asset. It is a gift from God.
But we might make headway by realizing that emotions, usually fear of something, hold people in the grip of fundamentalism. Find out the fear and dispel it, then you may assist the fundamentalist into the escape car. That can help in the short term.
How did I gave up fundamentalism after 17 years? I quit fearing the uncertainty in the world. I refused to believe any longer that the Devil would ruin me if I gave up my righteous beliefs. I regained some self-confidence. I sought to develop my own life, grabbing it back from the clutches of fundamentalism’s goals.
I saw for myself that fundamentalist beliefs did not serve me well. What made me realize that? The answer to that question has nothing to do with anyone talking with me rationally over a cup of tea. Nor did anyone argue me out of my beliefs. I had to admit they were problematic. Then I could get on the road to recovery. The roadmap to that admission, however, is different for everyone. And difficult. Some never get out of the ditch and drive.
So, to those in governments and to all concerned citizens around the world working on this problem, I am with you all the way.
In the long term, we may find that heading fundamentalism off at the pass long before we reach the police tape, is probably one of the most effective solutions. That means finding ways—apparently more effective than any we’ve been using—to instill in the next generation the values of peace, honest debate, civility, tolerance, and respect for human dignity. That takes a village, as Mr. Tajani pointed out.
One question
I’ll leave you with this to think about:
In the United States, should fundamentalist groups keep or be able to gain non-profit status despite the fact their beliefs and actions undermine the democratic values of this country?
Now please, feel free to add your two cents or even a quarter in the Leave a Reply section below. I look forward to reading you.
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Next post: A travel blog on Ireland’s music.
See you next time!
Roz
Very interesting thoughts, Charlene, and a lot to think about. I do think that non-profit status needs to be tightened, and not just for fundamentalist groups. I heard a speaker on NPR this am talking about how great “corporate” education is and everyone ought to get vouchers, including for profits and religious. groups. That scares me.
Thanks for the beautifully written words.
Charlene L. Edge
That NPR piece sounds informative. I’ll check it out.
Louise
Charlene, you are continually enlightening your readers! Thank you.
Charlene L. Edge
Louise, thanks for reading here. I always like to acknowledge that someone – either in person or in a book or – enlightened me first. Spread the light.
Janice
Really enjoyed this post! Fundamentalism is one of the most important issues we face going forward. Well done.