When I was young, maybe not yet early teens? A friend of my father once said to me “Never argue with a zealot. Even when you agree with them, they’ll tell you you’re wrong.”
In my mid 20s, I was talking about this thought with my dear friend Carlos. At some point he explained “The mindset of fundamentalists causes them to have much more in common with each other than with the other people from the faith they claim to be a part of.” Meaning that regardless of whatever the different religions any two fundamentalists come from, they think and react to the world more like each other than others of their same religion. I find this is true even when they are from vastly different paths that are at odds with each other.
‘Convert or die’ type mentality. ‘You must believe in the one true path or be eradicated as an abomination who is dangerous – because your beliefs are different!’ sort of BS.
For a long time, I kept mulling these things over. The ‘zealous’ or ‘fundamental’ mindset, such I could make sense of it. Time and again I kept hearing the term ‘faith’ applied.
Faith?
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
At this point, I am tempted to delve deep into Jungian collective unconscious theories, and go deep into the philosophies of Joseph Campbell, but my take aways are probably best simply stated …
… rather than my usual overly pedantic writing style.
The core of faith is belief. It is rooted in the subconscious and the collective unconscious. It is not for the logical brain-life of working out higher math, paying bills, and navigating the TV remote. It’s for the emotional heart-life of understanding self, purpose, and your place in existence. I’ve a lot more to say about all of that, but yeah. Trying to be brief.
So what?
Well, I’m saying that fundamentalists LACK FAITH. I know it seems counterintuitive to how THEY would describe themselves, but when I pull together what I’ve experienced in encountering them is that they are VASTLY UNCOMFORTABLE with even the thought of someone else believing in something different. It is as if their world only makes sense to them if EVERYONE ELSE believes the same as they do.
They are treating their belief system as if it is a set of facts. Facts are for the head-life. Belief is for the heart-life. If you NEED to PROVE your beliefs to others, need for others to believe the same and anything else is ‘false’, do you really have faith?
Additionally, time and again I find that it really doesn’t matter what religion the person is talking about. Christians, Muslims, pagans, and strangely enough, even atheists count zealots amongst their numbers, and these fundamentalist types all want ... nay, *NEED* you to believe in the things that they believe in. I find that they want their beliefs to be 'facts’, rather than strengthening their faith. They lack faith.
I find that in heart of the faithful, they are confident in who they are, what they believe, and how satisfied within themselves. They don’t need to prove it to anyone, they merely ‘are’. What’s more, I find that the mindset of persons of faith are ALSO similar to one another, even if they belong to seemingly very different religious paths.
Anyway, I love you very much and I have faith in you!
Comments
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Witchy Cuban Crocodile
I actually enjoy talking about faith, but not in a fundamentalist sort of way. More in an "I want to learn about their faith and about the person and in the process learn something about myself" sort of way.
To me, fundamentalists are indoctrinated folks with low self worth... people who have not been taught to think for themselves and to think critically. But many can be self-righteous and think they know better than every one else. But fundamentalism goes beyond faith (I can't count how many strangers have walked up to me to tell me that my lifestyle is wrong because I am obese).
On the other hand, (and I know i need to work on being more understanding and less of an asshole about it), but I don't take kindly to fundamentalists. I do love learning about other faiths, but when someone tells me that mine is wrong and that I am going to hell because I don't believe exactly as they do... I take offense. Most of the time, I can make an excuse and walk away. But every once in a while... i will answer with "Yes, I know that i am going to hell. Satan is just keeping the throne warm for me." Because I am an asshole.
I don't know why fundamentalists make me have such a visceral reaction...
Probably BECAUSE they lack faith! It's foreign to the human condition. It amounts to black and white thinking. It lacks nuance, and that can not be stood nor understood by the creative mind.
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
bunnibun7
Hey! I’m Muslim and after reading your blog I completely understand where you’re coming from!
I have dealt with people who always claim that EVERYONE should believe in said religion (even mine) or they are wrong and are going to be punished for it. I even have a friend, who they avoid religion due to their family being fundamentalist Christian’s!
In my personal opinion, I think everyone has the choice to believe in what they want or what they don’t want to believe and funny enough for me it’s a sin to coerce people into my path. I wouldn’t even say I’m a perfect Muslim or human being but does that give me the right to act as if everyone should follow said religions? No, I honestly see my own flaws already and have enough.
I’m at peace with who I am, I hope others will to, maybe enough to not dwell into other peoples lives!
Honestly, thank you for blogging this, really gives people more insight on fundamentalists
Yeah, you're one of those whom I was speaking about in the last three sentences 😊
The world needs more people like you! 🥰
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
reverie99
You're 100% right!! Their focus is on the wrong things, too busy looking outward rather than in. Faith is personal, and arguing with others about it doesn't come from faith. I don't think you even can argue someone into having faith, it's a personal right and decision one has to make themselves.
It's sort of like how people not content with their life will double down on pointing fingers at others whereas those that do the work to better their lives don't have the time or desire to do that to others.
Yes.
It's that need for validation from others. That need to feel in control.
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report