Conclusion: An Interim Report on a Hypothetical Family

Abstract

Summarizes a Vol of 14 essays (each abstracted) covering movements of religious fundamentalism in various parts of the world & presents a construction of a pure form of fundamentalism drawn from contributor ideas. A key concern is how religious idealism provides a basis for a communal & individual identity that remains unaltered by outside influence or events. It is shown how fundamentalist movements arise during times of crisis, select particular historical events, texts, & traditions to form an ideology, require an adversary, & develop methods to ensure the purity of their members. Other themes include the close but adversarial relationship with modernity, presence of charismatic leaders, use of modern organizational methods, & exploitation of the openness of democratic societies. The wide range of social, political, & cultural roles played by fundamentalist groups are discussed, using radical Sikhism as an example. It is concluded that current fundamentalism is both derivative & original & more oriented toward the future than the past & will continue to be a dynamic force on the international scene. T. Arnold