Fundamentalism Lecture

Last worked on

11/7/95

Fundamentalism

Soc 257

New Religious Movements

Lecture Outline

Part I
Fundamentalism and the Evangelical Tradition in American History

Religious Vitality in 19th Century America

Factors contributing to religious vitality:

1. Immigration

2. Expanding frontiers

3. Social unrest (civil war)

4. Industrialization/urbanization

5. An open religious economy

Millennialism

Postmillennalism

Premillennialism

Revivalism

It also fueled scores of sectarian movements several of which survived to become important religious movements in the twentieth century.

Major sectarian movements

Evangelical

1. Salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus

2. Personal conversion

3. Authority of scripture

4. Importance of preaching/proselytizing

Adventism

...belief that the second coming of Christ and the end of the world are near at hand

Holiness movement

...emphasis placed on proper behavior; piety; seeking perfection

Fundamentalism

...stresses strict and literal adherence to the authority of the Bible

Pentecostalism

...emphasizes close spiritual contact with God which is manifest through glossolalia (speaking in tongues) and faith healing

In short....

Part II
The Numerical Strength of Evangelicalism in America Today

Religious Affiliation in the USA

Population = 239,000

Christians

55,000,000 (23%)

5,250,000 (2%)

89,625,000 (38%)

PROTESTANTS

53,825,000

23%

Evangelical Protestants

All Evangelicals = 53,800,000

Part III
Four Distinct Meanings of Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism has four distinct meanings

Fundamentalism as a theological movement

Fundamentalism as a political movement

John Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution, but the prosecution attorney, William Jennings Bryan dies and so does the movement.

Fundamentalism as a caricature

From the Scopes Trial forward, the press and writers of literature have presented an unbroken line of portraits of fundamentalists as small-town, culturally unenlightened fanatics preyed upon by unscrupulous preachers.

The only redeeming quality of this phenomenon was the certainty that these Babbitt-like souls would one day become extinct as education and reason eventually spread to the deepest hinterlands of America.

Caricature clouds a reality

The caricature that arose in the Scopes Trial carried a self-fulfilling prophecy, namely that this archaic religious phenomenon simply could not survive.

How could something this significant go virtually unnoticed?

Rediscovering Fundamentalism

In 1976 Jerry Falwell began a series of "I Love America" rallies which would take him to the capital steps of every state in America.

Fundamentalism as a global phenomenon

Rediscovery of fundamentalists in America during the presidential campaign provided inspiration for the press covering the hostage story in Iran. They began referring to Khomeini and his followers as "Islamic Fundamentalists."

Part IV
Fundamentalism As a Global Phenomenon

The globalization of a stereotype

Global fundamentalism amounted to little more than a label that combined the worst of the three versions of fundamentalism.

Is fundamentalism a global phenomenon?

The Fundamentalism Project Conclusion:

A sociological perspective on fundamentalism

Sociologically speaking, fundamentalism involves two basic premises:

Fundamentalism defined

FUNDAMENTALISM is the proclamation of reclaimed authority over a sacred tradition which is to be reinstated as an antidote for a society that has strayed from its cultural moorings.

Unpacking the definition

Next time:
Pentecostalism
and
Factor Affecting Success of Religious Movements

Also: Homework Assignment Due