THE DANGERS OF FUNDAMENTALISM

AN UNRELENTING DOMINO EFFECT

When religious fundamentalism sets in, reality is left behind. According to Bobby Azarian, Ph.D., a cognitive scientist who wrote “How Religious Fundamentalism Hijacks the Brain” in Psychology Today, “[religious] fundamentalism discourages any logical reasoning or scientific evidence that challenges its scripture, making it inherently maladaptive.”

As populations are denied their right to critical thinking, pluralism, and free expression, they are brainwashed into blindly following rules based on scriptural interpretations. When religious fundamentalism turns into political power, the dangers manifest in several ways:

  • INTOLERANCE & REPRESSION: Dismissing contrasting faiths, sexualities, ethnicities and lifestyles as blasphemous and lesser.

  • CORRUPTION: Manipulating scripture to maintain power and justify violent actions toward dissenters.  

  • PERSECUTION: Imprisoning and murdering those who do not abide by their religious laws and interpretations.

  • VICTIMIZATION: Regarding women as inferior, restricting access to the same basic rights and privileges as men.

  • CONTROL: Banning or manipulating the freedoms and equalities of democracy, such as voting and justice.

THE RISE OF FANATICISM

Religious fundamentalism also lays the foundation for fanaticism and terrorism by justifying extreme acts of violence, warfare, slavery, and even genocide. Under the guiding hand of theocratic leaders, they target contrasting individuals and groups.

These are the dangerous consequences we are committed to stopping at all-for-peace.