One thing from Frykholm's reading that caught my attention was on page 18 of her book, where she notes the distinction between scholarly fundamentalism and popular fundamentalism. The notion that religious fundamentalism could ever be considered scholarly is hard to grasp for me since the movement tends to draw its strength and energy from populism.
In answering the question how this string of American mythos affects our culture and citizenry, I admit that I have very little good to say. Apocalyptic theology fuels the fires of intolerance and closed-mindedness that serve only to slow down the progress of American society and in some cases even pull it backwards. Assured of their own salvation and determined to conform others to their own lifestyles, apocalyptic evangelicals stir up fear and make zealots out of formerly rational people. A populace founded on apocalyptic prophecy is a populace founded on paranoia and reactionary thought.
Perhaps that was a little too harsh?..
At least it stirred you up!
ReplyDeleteDid you get the difference between the two manifestations of fundamentalism? If not, that is a great question to ask in class.
LDL