Fundamentalism and inflexibility, a rational response.

[oriondruid@btinternet.com]

Hi All.
As our moderator wisely said the thread on the main board waqs going wildly 'off topic, so let's put this here.

As has been said by myself the attitudes of many fundamentalists, (indeed almost a definition of the 'condition) is absolute unshakeable belief in a particular view of a subject, be it religious or otherwise, like extremist politics for instance. Of itself this pose no threat to anybody and people have the right to believe whatever they wish, no matter how silly or irrational it seems to other. For instance , our own shared interest in the Harry Potter stories might seem odd to some, perhaps even silly, but if we are 'nutters' we are harmless 'nutters', but I'm sure none of us go so far as to let it take over our lives orb make us wish to 'convert'others, especially not by force.;o)

Sadly however this is not the case with true fundamentalism, religious, political or otherwise, the adherents to such ideologies are prepared to do anything to increase the numbers of their particular obsessive groupings and some will even kill to 'demonstrate' their commitment to their cause and how 'right'it is. :o(

Other less radical and perhaps slightly less dangerous types, such as, for instance as Walabio pointed out what he calls 'Creatards' are very active in denying the more widely accepted views of most of humanity and reject science's findings about such things as evolution, how the world came into being and even at it's worst are Flat Earthers!

In the post in which Walabio agreed with my analysis of such 'types' he added we seemed to share the same enemies, as I myself have had some internet arguments elsewhere in the past with such people and added that we "seemed to share the same enemies".

I'm not too sure about how far I'd consider such people 'enemies' however. If such a person who holds such views tends not to try and force them on others or bore them with their beliefs then fair enough, they have that right, no matter how silly a given idea may be. Such a 'non active' opinion is no threat to anyone and at worst, if the opinion held is truly 'far out' be it Alien Abduction by UFO's, religious cultism/fundamentalism or political extremism then perhaps the more compassionate response is pity not enmity. :o)

If however the 'weirdo' is actively advocating and attempting to spread their fixed and ignorant views and is prepared to use intimidation, force or even mas murder to back them up then of course they become the enemy not just of myself but of all rational humanity.

Just a few thoughts, how do others feel?

Many Blessings.
John, (Oriondruid).