| Extremism & Fundamentalism. What are They? |
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The buzz words in all the media Is extremism wrong? Can it ever be justified? If so in what circumstances? What really IS extremism? And how about fundamentalism?
How about someone who is 'extremely honest', 'extremely nice', or 'an extremely good mother'? Is such a person 'immoderate', 'fanatical', or 'excessive' in 'methods or behaviour'? Is an 'extremely' considerate person to be feared and opposed in the same way as a suicide bomber, or a heartless militant who ruthlessly puts his ideals before others' survival, safety and well being? Clearly not! The same dictionary, having cited Christianity and Islam, describes fundamentalism as 'strict adherence to the fundamental principles of any set of beliefs'. Is that the same as 'extremism'? No! A fundamental belief that it is wrong to lie, steal or murder will not make me 'immoderate', 'fanatical', or 'excessive' in 'methods or behaviour'. Just the reverse, in fact!
NeutralExtremism and fundamentalism are neutral in and of themselves. It all depends what a person is 'extreme' about, and on what 'fundamentals' his or her beliefs are based. If extremism and those fundamentals allow or cause the murder of innocent victims, then they are both wrong and evil. If the same extremism and fundamentals produce compassion and good, we should thank God for them. The question is 'Which fundamental beliefs are being followed?' Who dare criticise Dr Barnardoís extreme care for homeless orphans, Elisabeth Fry's extreme compassion for neglected prisoners, or William Wilberforce's extreme opposition to slavery and exploitation of women and children?
ReligionsAny religion is wrong which encourages its followers in extremes and fundamentals which damage others, or which fails to earnestly try to turn them from those extremes and fundamentals. Jesus said the second most important command of God was to love others. Only loving God was more important than that. If I do not love others, I cannot be loving God. Every religion and philosophy should be subjected to that test.
ChristianityHow do we rate biblical Christianity based on those principles? We could illustrate from Bible believing Christians like Barnardo, Fry and Wilberforce. But let me define 'biblical Christianity' first. It is a personal faith in Christ both as my personal Saviour from sin and its punishment and also as my Lord to whom I willingly give control of my life. That personal faith comes from the Bible - the unique, infallible, inspired and complete word of God. Only there can I read of Jesus as fully God and fully man (though uniquely sinless and righteous) bearing my sins when He died on the cross, taking Godís punishing wrath against those sins. He rose from the dead, lives today, and through the Holy Spirit entered my life to change it from within, when I trusted Him personally as my Saviour.
Without those 'fundamental' beliefs and personal commitment of Christianity a person is not what the Bible would call a Christian, however nice or religious that person may be. Does fundamental Christianity lead to 'extremism'? The answer to that question must be both 'NO!' and 'YES!' 'NO!' because someone whose life has been changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and who now follows Him as their Lord and Saviour, will not be 'immoderate', 'fanatical', or 'excessive' in 'methods or behaviour'. Christ's love and wisdom will lead and characterise that person. 'YES!' because a real Christian knows that God's extreme mercy enabled him, or her, to escape deserved eternal judgement because Jesus died on the cross. Such a person will be extremely grateful to God and extremely careful to live his, or her, new life according to the life-changing fundamental teachings of the Bible. An extremely good and loving influence on others will follow - all because of God's amazing and extreme grace to unworthy sinners. |
Collins English Dictionary says an extremist is 'a person who favours or resorts to immoderate, uncompromising, or fanatical methods or behaviour' or someone 'relating to or characterised by immoderate or excessive actions, opinions, etc.' But is that definition completely accurate?
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