Religious fanaticism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Within the spectrum of adherence to a particular belief system, religious fanaticism is the most extreme form of religious fundamentalism.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
When adherents to a religion get involved in a pattern of violently and potentially deadly opposition to anyone they do not agree with, they are sometimes branded as Religious fanatics by their detractors, although they may object that their actions are completely sound. All religions may include fanatic fringes.
[edit] Definition
Determining who are religious fanatics is naturally a very controversial issue. It is notable that followers of a religion, and not the religion itself are the target of accusations of religious fanaticism. The whole issue is controversial due to the very nature of the allegation.
Frequently the norms of the society are greatly diluted versions from those of the religion in the area. Therefore an individual who is obedient to his religion, is often seen as a fanatic. Of course it is also possible that the individual is going beyond the norms of the religion [citation needed].
[edit] Religious fanaticism and utilitarianism
According to philosophical doctrine known as utilitarianism, is ethically acceptable (something like the religious concept of morality) any action, behaviour, law or object that could increase the happiness of any given person, or of the whole society, or of the biggest part of the community.
According to utilitarianism, religion is useful (and does not become fanaticism [citation needed]) when it increases the average wellness of the individual and society, by several means, as an example keeping him in good health (by the abstention to alcohol, to fattening foods or to unhealthy behaviors) or giving him a psychological wellness, (helping him to accept several type of irresolvable situations as disease and death. Or it could help the individual to find a place in society, giving to the whole society a philosophical ethos, because religion can give a meaning to the lifes of many people (as handicapped) and a justification to many events in life as disasters, wars or unemployement.
According to utilitarianism, religion (or counter-religion) becomes fanatical [citation needed] when it damages the person or the society, regarding to the health of the body (as an example with instruments and proceedings, voluntary or not, some with temporary punishment like cilicium, flagellation, crucifixion (with ropes) or any corporal punishment, or with definitive punishments as any type of mutilation, lapidation after major sins, death penalty after apostasy, or any type of ritual or non ritual suicide). Religion can be slightly harmful when it causes several pathological psychological states (as anxiety, fear or not justified sense of being guilty). The biggest danger happens when religions try to fuel contempt, hate or even clashes with any other ethnical, political, philosophical or religious groups.
In utilitarianism (closely linked to Democracy) should prevail the interest expressed by the biggest part in the society, that could decide in any given moment time what is fair or unfair, what is legal or illegal, not according to a fixed legal or religious moral code, but only following democratical decisions, that must always be in accordance with the principles present in Constitution.
[edit] List of accused
[edit] Christians
Many consider the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem witch trials to have been similar expressions of Christian fanaticism. Some consider more recent examples of Christian fanaticism to include violence associated with anti-abortion and white power extremists in USA, but this is an extremely controversial and emotionally-charged debated issue. Members of the religious mainstream usually disapprove of fanaticism, but some also feel it to be necessary to maintain cultural identity and spread the perceived word of God.
[edit] Muslims
In recent times, Muslim jihadi groups have been the publicly noted for their adherence to aberrant non-orthodox interpretations of Islamic religious laws and support for terrorist activities.
[edit] Jews
Some also consider the some among the Haredi Jews in Israel to be extremists, as they have been known to curse and throw stones at those who breach the Jewish Sabbath[citation needed], by driving or working. Other examples from the Jewish faith include the perpetrator behind the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, and Baruch Goldstein, who killed many Muslim worshippers while they were praying in a mosque.
[edit] Muslims and Christians
Because of a certain level of tension between the two religions, Muslims and Christians are often met with hostility in communities dominated by the other [citation needed].
