(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! :)