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Editorial
Religious fundamentalism is on the rise. This rise is not limited to geo-
politically charged conflict zones but also emerges in Western democracies.
There is no politically neutral space from which to explore this pervading
phenomenon and analyse its dynamics. LIMINA – Theological Perspectives
from Graz broaches the subject with a dedicated issue on Religious Funda-
mentalism. Current phenomena, strategies, and responses and does not shy
away from attempting a delicate balancing act between context-sensitive
analyses and practise-oriented engagement.
The aim of this edition is to analyse religious radicalisation in its current
form, to shed light on its motives, goals, patterns and strategies, and to
discuss theoretical and practical approaches to address fundamentalist
trends. Fundamentalism is a central topic whose relevance reaches far be-
yond the domain of religion. It describes a staunch adherence to selected
principles or beliefs, closed off to change and without willingness to enter
into discussions, dialogue or compromise. Fundamentalism is a concomi-
tant of the modern age. It is a reaction to the uncertainties arising from the
changing tides in the personal, societal and cultural sphere and an attempt
to overcome them by “drawing on sacrosanct traditions or artificially im-
munised certainties” (Thomas Meyer; own translation).
In current practice, various religious groups express and defend this stance
and their unassailable assertions by citing alleged original principles and
truths to a degree that causes disconcertment even among traditional pro-
ponents of the same religion. They pursue a radical regression to certain
archetypes of religious identity and practice, declare them to be the only
legitimate form of religiosity and are often relentless in its propagation.
There is also a growing overlap between religious fundamentalism and na-
tionalist, right-wing populist movements. The ideological basis for both
Citation reference: Thomas Meyer,
Was ist Fundamentalismus? Eine
Einführung, Wiesbaden: Springer
2011, 29.
Translation:
Dagmar Astleitner MA
PRISM Translations, London
LIMINA Grazer theologische Perspektiven | 4:1, 2021, 12–15 | www.limina-graz.eu | DOI: 10.25364/17.4:2021.1.1en
Limina
Grazer theologische Perspektiven, Band 4:1
- Titel
- Limina
- Untertitel
- Grazer theologische Perspektiven
- Band
- 4:1
- Herausgeber
- Karl Franzens University Graz
- Datum
- 2021
- Sprache
- deutsch
- Lizenz
- CC BY 4.0
- Abmessungen
- 21.4 x 30.1 cm
- Seiten
- 224
- Kategorien
- Zeitschriften LIMINA - Grazer theologische Perspektiven