(no subject)

[sophiaserpentia]

I'm going to resolve not to make references anymore to "radical Islam" or "fundamentalist Christianity." Radical Islam is not 'radical' in that it doesn't represent the root of Islamic belief; Fundamentalist Christianity is not 'fundamental' in that it doesn't represent the core of Christian belief.

Both movements want people to believe that fundamentalism is what it looks like when you are more fervently religious. That is, they want the rest of us to buy into their position that theirs is the only way to be fervently, devoutly, deeply religious. The mass media, of course, eats this up and serves it back to us as a tasty second harvest.

These movements are at war with me and i refuse to dignify them any longer by utilizing their terminology, along with the implications they carry. Instead i am going to, from now on, refer to both as "reactionary Islam" or "reactionary Christianity."

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/beth_/]

I used to practice Islam; I was drawn to it for its structure and its tolerance. Of course, most close to me only had an understanding of what they'd heard of as "radical Islam" -- and assumed, of course, both that what they'd heard applied to all of Islam, and that I wasn't making a good decision. It was hugely frustrating!

I am, of course, extremely happy to read of the distinction you'll be making. May many listen! :)

[sammhain.livejournal.com]

Or heresy, possibly blasphemy in some cases.

[weishaupt.livejournal.com]

Good call.

[alobar.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about Muslim beliefs. New Age Sufis are quite tolerant of other mainstream religions, but less so of paganism, psychedelic use, etc. From I have observed about Christianity, Christians have been intolerant murdering bigots since the fall of Rome. Before that they had no power to be bastards. Intolerance may not be Christ's message, but it sure seems a keystone to organized Christian religion. Witch trials, destroying the Albigensians, the Crusades, shunning those who leave their religion.

Your Rephrasing...

[publius-aelius.livejournal.com]

...is most welcome, and deeply appreciated--at least by me.

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

Amen.

I usually refer to them as "fanatical" or "extremist" (i.e. "fringe"). But in a political context, I love your use of "reactionary".

[lightvortex.livejournal.com]

I think that "values voter" is another interesting term. I'd define it as any person who votes primarily based on principles rather than on a theory of self-interest, but it seems to carry connotations beyond that in general usage, and I'm not sure why really.

[sarahmichigan.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, interesting. My impression (having come from a family of Christians who believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible) is that fundamentalist Christians don't actually like being called that and aren't insisting on it-- it's a label imposed by outsiders. They just think of themselves as "Christians." My mother looked at me weird when I referred to her beliefs that way.