Every ideology, whether economic, political, familial, or religious, is based on certain characterizing features. These features of a given ideology are its fundamental principles.

Logically, then, fundamentalism would mean an attitude, an effort or a movement which adheres to or tries to promote these fundamentals.
For instance, when we speak of a free market economy and private ownership of property, we describe the fundamentals of modern capitalism, and those who conduct their economic affairs accordingly may aptly be called capitalists. When we talk of the government of the people, for the people and by the people, we point out the fundamental principles of modern Western democracy; and those who practice and promote this form of polity may be called democratic people or nations. Also, when some believe in the principle of Trinity and the Gospel as the inspired word of God, they are declaring the fundamental principles of Christianity and are known as Christians.

Likewise, there are certain essentials that characterize Islam and differentiate it from odther systems or idealogies of the past and the present. Those who believe in these as inviolable aspects of Islam are the ones called Muslims.

Described in these terms fundamentalism means the core of all what the adherents of an ideology believe and are expected to practice.

However, what appears to be surprising is that we never hear of democratic fundamentalism, capitalist fundamentalism, socialist fundamentalism or secularist fundamentalism. The term fundamentalism is almost exclusively used in the context of religion.

What is disturbing is that whenever used, fundamentalism is spoken of in a highly value laden manner almost invariably with negative connotations - some thing highly dogmatic, something that does not belong in the modern world, and something that has to be reckoned with.

To the sensitive Muslim audience, then, the term Islamic fundamentalism seems to carry a message, loud and clear: "Believe in Islam if you will, just don't practice it!"

Christian fundamentalism emphasizes the uncritical authority of the Bible. Imagine then - if the world told Christians, "Believe in the Bible, just don't practice it!"

Believe in the Bible....and practice it.......

and what is the downside of that ?

-No one will be hurt..(except their feelings perhaps)
-No one will be killed if they leave the faith.
-Women will be 'regarded as sisters..in all purity'.
-Young men will have joy, peace self control and honest ambition.
-Believers will reach out to the weak and try to give them a leg up.
-Believers will try to be peacemakers as far as it depends on them.
(making peace can also include exposing the source of war or conflict)
-Enemies will be loved, even if their ideologies are hated or rejected.
-No one will seek to have sexual relations with those serving him.
-No person will be regarded as a 'possession'. (even the NT calls on slave masters to treat slaves as brethren in Christ)
-The good news of eternal salvation and reconciliation to God will be proclaimed (that might annoy some, but hey..they can change the chanel)

Personally....I can't see the problem of a 'Christian' fundamentalist.

On the other hand..

-Sex with captive slave girls.
-Child abuse permitted.
-Domestic violence against women enshrined in dogma
-War on those who simply insult your faith or its founder.
-Killing those who reject your faith.
-Violence against those who claim your faith is 'violent'...
-Political plans to take over the world.
-Riots when people say 'mean things' about your prophet (7th day straight in Denmark)

Well..whatever faith is like that.. I shudder at the thought of a fundamentalist follower of such a faith.

We must be honest,
Christians are champions in the crimes, two world wars from Christians against Christians, Colonists the best killers and magicians on our planet, nations disappeared, one genocide followed the other and everything was OK. Slavery the best business in the town, half African population sold as slaves by Christians. When first Christians won ethnics, they destroyed schools, libraries, arts, and created the best detention centers in many Greek islands. Crusaders the sharpest knife in the universe, they killed not only the Muslims but thousands of Christians , see Byzantium. Turn your head around on our planet and you will see who are the real killers. We do the main job but we blame the Muslims. They are good but to kill their self, as suicide bombs, the idiots! Today Christians have convinced their self, that they are innocent, the hypocrites.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

I heard on the BBC the other day that around 95% of the world's Muslims are creationists. I can't find a source for it though.

Still, if true, interesting. Thoughts?

Don't give them anymore attention,since this is what they want.They want to play the poor victim since this gives them more political leverage.We are letting the smallest religious group get the greatest amount of attention.We are giving in to their demands simply because of the threats of violence.eg Anti-religious vilification Laws in Victoria.
Just ignore them and simply say no politely,when they demands things like Sharia law to be introduced.Enough said.

Danielle
1) I am atheist
2) what do you expect from so religious persons?
About creationism in Islam go to:
http://www.iheu.org/node/2794 The Rise of Islamic Creationism
Taner Edis is associate professor of physics at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO, USA.
or
http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc07/EDOC11297.htm The dangers of creationism in education
Committee on Culture, Science and Education, European parliament(about Muslim creationists in Europe).

You are writing very often. Are you trying to change our world alone?