Using material from Item A and elsewhere assess the view that the growth of religious fundamentalism is a reaction to globalisation. (18)
by
cmarloryahoocouk (student)
Using material from Item A and elsewhere assess the view that the growth of religious fundamentalism is a reaction to globalisation. (18)
Religious fundamentalists oppose the secularisation of society, and want the return to the literalist interpretation of religious texts with a ‘strict obedience to religious teachings’ (Item A). Globalisation, the idea of the world becoming more united and less split by nations may lead to this way of thinking. Because there is more involvement between nations, this may cause tension between cultures causing Fundamentalism, and the access to the internet has had a profound effect on collaborating Fundamentalism. However, it can be argued that secularisation and other factors have led to it instead.
With Globalisation comes the access to the internet and social media, there is more understanding of the various types of religions available. This can lead people to want to find out about alternative faiths, maybe more extreme and traditional ones- consequently converting to a different belief system which may be fundamentalist. This has been a recent issue as extremist groups such as ISIS have targeted young girls on the internet to become involved in ‘Jihad’ (the concept of Muslim holy war), by marrying Jihadi fighters. Worldwide knowledge gives more access to terrorist information such as bomb making or training, which vulnerable young people such as moderate teenage Muslims can use without their family knowing. Globalisation has also practically allowed for extremism to happen, after two girls were able to get transport and communicate with this group in Syria. However, the rise of Globalisation did not necessarily bring about the fundamentalist movement. Indeed, religion nowadays is actually more liberal than in the past, with many less strict forms of beliefs; killing in the name of god and ‘holy war’ was once accepted by almost everyone in medieval times.
