Generic Fundamentalism and Historic Fundamentalism - Research Paper Example

Religion and Theology Fundamentalism as a religious movement emanated in the late nineteenth century in United s asa reaction towards the modern theological doctrines that tried to sabotage the strict traditional theological ideology (Johnstone, 2007, P 179). In view to the varied opinion held by various individuals, fundamentalism in the United States may fall under two categories of definitions as follows: Generic fundamentalism and Historic fundamentalism. Generic fundamentalism resulted as means to preserve the traditional theological precepts that the contemporary theologies were undermining.

Traditional theological principles valued the preservation of the past elements of life that the Christian believers upheld. This entailed the conservation of sacred beliefs and literature. This view was widely rejected by modernist theology that sought to improve the universal democracy and educational systems of the world. Generic fundamentalism attributes creation order as the source of varied culture and social patterns that assign different responsibilities and roles to various individuals in the community.

Such responsibilities and roles may occur in every member of the community from state officials to clergy leaders. This offers a vivid dichotomy that helps to distinguish the roles expected from each individual and the state as a general. Historic fundamentalism provides insight to the religion practices that existed in the US in the early 20th century. As immigrant continued to occupy numerous parts of the United States, varied cultural practices and social changes emanated. The societal changes and cultural variations propelled the historic fundamentalism to use all means ranging from intellect to legislature and courts to protect their historical views.

The historical fundamentalism spread Christianity after the Second World Warafter surviving the arduous era between the world war one and world war two. Islamic fundamentalism will entail the Islamic movement that adheres to principles and guidelines as stipulated in the holy book of Quran. The religious movement has global goals that depending to the interpretation one holds to the term, may lead to numerous global goals. Non-Muslim communities especially the West usually confuses the term Islamic fundamentalism to refer to an Islamic extremist who carry out terrorism.

According to the Westerners view, the Islamic fundamentalism upholds doctrines and beliefs that augment their desire to carry out terrorism. Most non-Muslims view terrorism as a global goal among the extremist to punish those individuals who do not perform the perceived Islamic traditions. According to Islam, Islamic fundamentalism reflects to a belief system that most Muslim countries share in order to solidify the sharia laws among the member countries. The law provides five basic requirements that need commitment to anyone who adheres to the Islamic teachings in any part of the world.

First is Shahada, which is the global awareness among the Islamic fundamentalism that Mohammed is the prophet sent by the only God, Allah. Salat forms the other requirement that Islamic individuals perform. It refers to the routine recitation of prayers five times within the day. Sawm forms the third key requirement that reflects to an era of fasting that occurs during the holy month of Ramadhan in every year. The other obligation performed by Islam pertains helping the less privileged members in the community in order to uplift them morally or physically, what Islam refers as Zakat.

The last fundamental obligation performed entails the pilgrimage to mecca that every Muslim must perform before death. Reference Johnstone, R. L. (2007). Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion, 8/E. London: Pearson.