It looks like the author was only recently Enlightened that Fundamentalism applies to Christians also. Too bad he didn't even bother to Wiki "Fundamentalism" (at the very least) to find out that it originated with Christianity, in various forms right from subtle evangelisation (that continues till today) to brutal historical inquisitions. It even applied non- derogatorily to Christianity, referring to the traditionalists who simply adhered to their religious ideals. Today, it is often synonymous to the term "Absolutism". It was only later that the term was applied to Muslim Jehadi terrorism, which was a reactionary movement to the foreign policies of various countries. Hindu Fundamentalism is more of an oxymoron, as Hinduism has no strict mono fundamentals, but rather a pluralist religion. The so called Hindu fundamentalism arose as a reactionary movement to the Partition, subsequent terrorism from accross the border and Christian conversions.
There is often an interchangeable use of the term Fundamentalism with the term Communalism, which is also incorrect. For further explanation, one can read some interesting articles by Asghar Ali Engineer: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030105/spectrum/main3.htm http://www.punjabilok.com/faith/islam/fundametalism.htm http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-engineer190503.htm As far as the Da Vinci Code issue is concerned, I only want to ask those Christian Fundamentalists as to why should a Secular India deprive the people from watching the movie just because it hurts the sentiments of 2% of the people, when it did not deprive the freedom of the same 2% to eat beef when it hurt the sentiments of 50%+ non-beef eaters/Cow reverers? Secularism is a freedom that should be devoid of religion, not a sum of all, as some percieve it. But my dilemma is this: Although Secularism is widely regarded better than Fundamentalism and Communalism, and democracy gives the freedom to affiliate with whichever ideology, do we, as a nation that embraces Secularism, have the moral right to deplore fundamentalism & Communalism? Regards, Aristo. _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected])
