Politics and society: Dealing with religious extremism - by Jeffrey S. Victor Ph.D.
Today, the social forces provoking religious extremism are modernization and globalization. The prime mover of modernization is science, as a way of thinking and relating to the world. It emphasizes doubt and questioning rather than faith, rationalism rather than tradition, and inductive logic rather than deductive claims of truths from scriptures. It focuses attention on the material, natural world, rather than the invisible supernatural. Globalization brings us influences from distant and unfamiliar cultures and religions. It results in increasing religious pluralism and multiculturalism within societies. Extremist Christians, Moslems, Jews and Hindus have many similar ways of thinking. They want to purify religion from the influences of modernization and globalization. They regard themselves as being victims, oppressed by anti-religious forces in society. That is why they are so angry. They condemn their society as morally corrupt. They preach an absolutist religious morality and belief system. They insist on the one right way for everyone. They emphasize punishment for sin, rather than compassion. Therefore, they condemn religious pluralism and religious tolerance.
Religious extremists are not all of one mind. There is a wide spectrum of differences among them. Most religious extremists are non-violent and simply try to isolate themselves from the surrounding “corrupt” society. Some organize themselves to impose their ideology on society through the political system. Only a small minority preach violence as a means to gain their ends.
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