fundamentalism

American  

[fuhn-duh-men-tl-iz-uhm] / ˌfʌn dəˈmɛn tlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a religious movement characterized by a strict belief in the literal interpretation of religious texts, especially within American Protestantism and Islam.

2. the beliefs held by those in this movement.

3. strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles.

   the fundamentalism of the extreme conservatives.

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fundamentalism British  

/ ˌfʌndəˈmɛntəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. Christianity (esp among certain Protestant sects) the belief that every word of the Bible is divinely inspired and therefore true

2. Islam a movement favouring strict observance of the teachings of the Koran and Islamic law

3. strict adherence to the fundamental principles of any set of beliefs

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fundamentalism Cultural  

1. A conservative movement in theology among nineteenth- and twentieth-century Christians (see also Christian). Fundamentalists believe that the statements in the Bible (see also Bible) are literally true.

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Discover More

Fundamentalists often argue against the theory of evolution. (See Scopes trial.)

Other Word Forms

• antifundamentalism noun
• antifundamentalist noun
• fundamentalist noun
• fundamentalistic adjective
• nonfundamentalist noun

Etymology

Origin of fundamentalism

1920–25, fundamental + -ism; originally in reference to the American Protestant fundamentalism movement, which arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in reaction to modernism

Example Sentences

For many Americans, the fact is that we inhabit a demon-haunted world, where fundamentalism and anti-rational beliefs offer not just answers, but also a sense of safety and salvation.

From Salon

Her studies fostered deep empathy for humanity, leading her to later criticise fundamentalism across religions, including Hinduism.

From BBC

But they do not want to exchange political authoritarianism for religious fundamentalism, said al-Hadidi.

From BBC

In the world of Christian fundamentalism, for instance, this is a popular meme illustrating how they see family:

From Salon

West spoke to Salon about her experiences as a "stay-at-home daughter," explained why fundamentalism lures so many people in, and what, exactly the Christian right finds so alluring about Jane Austen novels.

From Salon