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'''Fundamentalism''' is a movement which began within [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Christianity]] in the late [[19th century]] in opposition to the emergence of [[modernism]] within several denominations.

'''Fundamentalism''' is a movement which began within [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Christianity]] in the early 20th century in opposition to the emergence of [[modernism]] within several denominations.

== Birth of the Fundamentalist Movement ==

== Birth of the Fundamentalist Movement ==

Fundamentalism developed as an extension of the [[doctrine of inerrancy]] in response to Protestant clergy concerns regarding professional authority at the start of the [[20th century]].  The term itself was popularized by [[R.A. Torrey]] when he published his book ''The Fundamentals'' in 1917.  Fundamentalism stresses several points:

Fundamentalism developed as an extension of the [[doctrine of inerrancy]] in response to Protestant clergy concerns regarding professional authority at the start of the [[20th century]].  The term itself was popularized by [[R.A. Torrey]] when he published his book ''The Fundamentals'' in 1917.  Fundamentalism stresses several points:

* The inerrancy of the [[Bible]]

* The inerrancy of the Bible

* The [[Virgin Birth]] of [[Christ]]

* The [[Virgin Birth]] of Christ

* The bodily [[resurrection]] of Christ

* The bodily [[resurrection]] of Christ

* The substitutionary [[atonement]] of Christ on the cross

* The substitutionary [[atonement]] of Christ on the cross

Fundamentalism held to these points in opposition to such trends as [[higher criticism]] and the increasing acceptance of [[Darwinism]], which were popular among modernists.  Fundamentalist movements were found in most Protestant denominations by the early 20th century, with the debate between fundamentalists and modernists especially strong in [[Presbyterian]] and [[Baptist]] churches.  The term fundamentalism would later come to be closely associated with [[dispensationalist]] beliefs, belief in the impending Second Coming of Christ, and with [[Evangelical]] Christianity in general.

Fundamentalism held to these points in opposition to such trends as [[higher criticism]] and the increasing acceptance of [[Darwinism]], which were popular among modernists.  Fundamentalist movements were found in most Protestant denominations by the early 20th century, with the debate between fundamentalists and modernists especially strong in [[Presbyterian]] and [[Baptist]] churches.  The term fundamentalism would later come to be closely associated with [[dispensationalist]] beliefs, belief in the impending Second Coming of Christ, and with [[Evangelical]] Christianity in general.

== The Term Fundamentalism in Modern Times ==

==Fundamentalism in various religions==

The term slowly came to mean all movements within religions that reject modernizing/liberalizing influences and attempt to stay true to the word of that religion's scriptures.  The term has been applied to Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.  Christian fundamentalism differs from Orthodoxy in its sole reliance on the Bible and disregard for previously established tradition.  Similarly, within Islam, the "fundamentalist" movements (such as [[Wahhabism]]) seek to remove perceived impurities in Islam and return it to the believed roots.  Unlike Christianity, however, these uncovered roots have spawned incredibly amounts of violence.  "Fundamentalist" Hinduism is, in a way, a contradiction in terms.  Hinduism has no one sacred holy book, and thus no original scriptures to return to, and so the term is instead used to describe those Hindus who are intolerant of the existence of other religions (and occasionally non-Indians) in their communities.   

The term slowly came to mean all movements within religions that reject modernizing/liberalizing influences and attempt to stay true to the word of that religion's scriptures.  The term has been applied to Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.  Christian fundamentalism differs from Orthodoxy in its sole reliance on the Bible and disregard for previously established tradition.  Similarly, within Islam, the "fundamentalist" movements (such as [[Wahhabism]]) seek to remove perceived impurities in Islam and return it to the believed roots.  Unlike Christianity, however, these uncovered roots have spawned incredibly amounts of violence.  "Fundamentalist" Hinduism is, in a way, a contradiction in terms.  Hinduism has no one sacred holy book, and thus no original scriptures to return to, and so the term is instead used to describe those Hindus who are intolerant of the existence of other religions (and occasionally non-Indians) in their communities.   

 

The term fundamentalist is also self-applied by a breakaway movement from The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], calling itself Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  This group, who's leader was convicted on conspiracy charges relating to child rape, claims to continue the original revelations of Joseph Smith. It is held to be apostate by the mainstream church, and cannot truly be called fundamentalist, as it ignores the doctrine of continuous revelation to the leaders of the church.  

The term fundamentalist is also self-applied by a breakaway movement from The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], calling itself Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  This group, who's leader was convicted on conspiracy charges relating to child rape, claims to continue the original revelations of Joseph Smith. It is held to be apostate by the mainstream church, and cannot truly be called fundamentalist, as it ignores the doctrine of continuous revelation to the leaders of the church.  

 

There are no fundamentalist Jews, as all movements to return to the basic tenets of [[Judaism]] simply result in increased orthodoxy.  Judaism may be unique in this regard. Though according to scholars such as Samuel C. Heilman, Menachem Friedman, and Werner Backeberg, there are "truly fundamentalist Jews" who are "a minority of a minority of a minority (that is, approximately 30 percent of Orthodox Jewry, which itself is only about 15 percent of the apporximately twelve million members of world Jewry)."<ref> Fundamentalism, Werner Backeberg (Faculty of Theology) Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research (IMER), University of Pretoria, p. 19 </ref><ref> [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fundamentalism-Observed/Martin-E-Marty/e/9780226508788 ''Fundamentalism Observed''], p. 198 </ref>

There are no fundamentalist Jews, as all movements to return to the basic tenets of [[Judaism]] simply result in increased orthodoxy.  Judaism may be unique in this regard. Though according to scholars such as Samuel C. Heilman, Menachem Friedman, and Werner Backeberg, there are "truly fundamentalist Jews" who are "a minority of a minority of a minority (that is, approximately 30 percent of Orthodox Jewry, which itself is only about 15 percent of the apporximately twelve million members of world Jewry)."<ref> Fundamentalism, Werner Backeberg (Faculty of Theology) Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research (IMER), University of Pretoria, p. 19 </ref><ref> [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fundamentalism-Observed/Martin-E-Marty/e/9780226508788 ''Fundamentalism Observed''], p. 198 </ref>

In recent times, the [[liberal media|media]] has taken to describing any conservative non-denominational church or conservative evangelical church as fundamentalist.  While these churches do strive to return to the basics of Christianity&mdash;its fundamentals&mdash;there is a clear attempt to link these groups with other so-called fundamentalist groups in Islam and Hinduism which have perpetuated heinous acts of violence (the [[9/11]] attacks by a Muslim group and the assassination of [[Mohandas K. Gandhi]] by a Hindu for example).  Recently, there has been something of a change, with the media starting to refer to Islamic extremists as "radical Muslims."  Despite this, the attempt to associate the term fundamentalism with such unrelated concepts as [[Christian Identity]] has succeeded somewhat and it has turned into a pejorative term among [[atheists]], [[liberals]], and [[Darwinists]]. <ref> Chapter 19 "The Fundamentalist and Neo-Evangelical Traditions" in [http://books.google.com/books?id=e7BXpAsDXh0C&pg=RA1-PA352&vq=Fundamentalist+fanatic&source=gbs_search_r&cad=1_1 ''American Religious Traditions: The Shaping of Religion in the United States''], Richard E. Wentz, Fotress Press, 2003, ISBN 0-8006-3616-3</ref>

In recent times, the media has taken to describing any conservative non-denominational church or conservative evangelical church as fundamentalist.  Indeed these churches do strive to return to the basics of Christianity&mdash;its fundamentals&mdash.  

 

{{cquote|If some religious fundamentalists eloquently defend their decision to campaign aggressively for the removal of certain "adult" novels from the public school library&mdash;if they were to cite relevant facts and figures with some care and point to relevant observations by noted educational psychologists&mdash;then, while we may still deplore their methods and objectives, we will probably abandon our initial suspicion that they are fanatics.}}

==Jews and Christian fundamentalism==

==Israel and Christian fundamentalism==

Historically speaking, the vast and overwhelming majority of fundamentalists have been and remain [[zionism|zionists]].  Fundamentalist-evangelicals rejoiced when part of Jerusalem was annexed after the 1967 six day war, whereas the [[National Council of Churches]] (by then a mere puppet of the always highly questionable forces of Christian Liberalism) denounced Israel.  Liberal Christianity called for the "internationalization" of Jerusalem throughout the 1960s, while Christian fundamentalists believed and expressed their hope for Biblical [[prophecy]]: [[God]] promised Jerusalem to Israel.<ref name=Rausch>''[http://books.google.com/books?id=-BPjHQAACAAJ Zionism Within Early American Fundamentalism 1878-1918: A Convergence of Two Traditions]'', David A. Rausch, Edwin Mellen Press, 1979, ISBN 9-88946-875-3, ISBN 0-88946-976-8, p.4 </ref>   

Historically speaking, the vast and overwhelming majority of fundamentalists have been and remain [[zionism|zionists]].  Fundamentalist-evangelicals rejoiced when part of Jerusalem was annexed after the 1967 six day war, whereas the [[National Council of Churches]] (by then a mere puppet of the always highly questionable forces of Christian Liberalism) denounced Israel.  Liberal Christianity called for the "internationalization" of Jerusalem throughout the 1960s, while Christian fundamentalists believed and expressed their hope for Biblical [[prophecy]]: God promised Jerusalem to Israel.<ref name=Rausch>''[http://books.google.com/books?id=-BPjHQAACAAJ Zionism Within Early American Fundamentalism 1878-1918: A Convergence of Two Traditions]'', David A. Rausch, Edwin Mellen Press, 1979, ISBN 9-88946-875-3, ISBN 0-88946-976-8, p.4 </ref>   

===Differences between liberal and fundamentalist Christians ===

===Differences between liberal and fundamentalist Christians ===

There are three main differences between [[liberal Christianity|liberal Christian theology]] and fundamentalism-evangelicalism that affect their respective attitudes toward Jewish people. These differences<ref name=Rausch/> are:

There are three main differences between [[liberal Christianity|liberal Christian theology]] and fundamentalism-evangelicalism that affect their respective attitudes toward Jewish people. These differences<ref name=Rausch/> are:

#Fundamentalism's literal interpretation of [[prophecy]] versus Liberalism's spiritual interpretation.

#Fundamentalism's literal interpretation of [[prophecy]] versus Liberalism's spiritual interpretation.

#Fundamentalism's equal weighting of the Old and New Testaments versus Liberalism privileging the New, especially the liberal tendency to interpret critical remarks against Judaism without taking into full account the Old Testament and the fact that Jesus was genetically and culturally Jewish.

#Fundamentalism's equal weighting of the Old and New Testaments versus Liberalism privileging the New, especially the liberal tendency to interpret critical remarks against Judaism.  

#Fundamentalism's belief in unconverted Israel over against Liberalism's conversion requirement (i.e., so-called replacement theology).

#Fundamentalism's belief in unconverted Israel over against Liberalism's conversion requirement (i.e., so-called replacement theology).

* [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/6528/fundcont.htm Online copy of ''The Fundamentals'']

* [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/6528/fundcont.htm Online copy of ''The Fundamentals'']

* [http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/czionism.htm Christian Zionism]

* [http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/czionism.htm Christian Zionism]

== References ==

== References ==