To what extent is religious fundamentalism an anti-modern ideology Coursework

To what extent is religious fundamentalism an anti-modern ideology - Coursework Example Within such a way, a person who ascribes to a modernist theory or interpretation is of the belief that situational factors as well as the development of knowledge have a powerful impact on determining the norms and mores of whatever world view they may hold (Eccleshall, 1994). This is not to say that a person who ascribes to a modernist approach is entirely and/or completely tossed by the winds of change. Rather, it merely indicates a worldview that is more cognizant and places a higher level of importance upon the way in which current definitions and understandings can impact upon the way in which their worldview is constrained and develops. Conversely, an individual who ascribes to something of a fundamentalist viewpoint is one who is something of a literalist. Within such a way, fundamentalism, by its very nature, is a separatist doctrine that seeks to separate itself from the mainstream and hearken back to a prior interpretation of the doctrines or teachings of a particular world view/faith. As such, it will be the express intent of this brief analysis to discuss the means by which fundamentalism is by very nature an anti-modern philosophy/approach to any given world view. One of the primary definitions of fundamentalism that is referenced throughout many of the belief systems in the world is the fact that they invariably ascribe to the belief that the â€Å"truth† has become adulterated within the modern era and it is necessary to hearken back to a time of prior truth and purity in order to fulfill whatever directive a deity or group of deities might have set forth for them in a simpler and more pure time. This is true regardless of whether one examines an Islamic fundamentalist group or whether one examines a Hindu or Christian fundamentalist group. As such, a further appreciation and definition of the word â€Å"fundamentalist† leads one to realize that the fundamentals of a given faith or worldview are the prized possession that these indi viduals are fully unwilling to part with (Zizek, 1989). Those that ascribe to the fundamentals, those who define what are they based upon a narrow and historical interpretation of a key set of beliefs, question the means by which society and/or culture of the times can help to better them or the faith to which they ascribe. As such, fundamentalists, regardless of their particular variety, are inherently and entirely anti-modern. However, another key element of the fundamentalist worldview is not only the fact that they seek to disengage with modern society and return/recluse back to a prior interpretation of the mores and beliefs of a particular faith. Such a pattern of behavior would not make them anti modern and would not ensure that they came into any level of conflict with those within society that did not ascribe to a limited view of reality (Ball, 2010). Rather, they are invariably interested in alerting others to the ills of modernity and instructing them that the best means of assuring a further level of happiness and/or salvation is to disengage with the modern society and revert back to a literal or figurative interpretation of the means by which a given belief system was understood within the distant or not so distant past. It is this very attitude of disengagement and seeking to encourage or demand that others disengage that is perhaps the strongest argument for the fact that these individuals are invariably anti-modern in their interpretation o