What is a religious extremist?

[Spice]

Excommunication and forced repentance are hardly extreme as far as religion goes, though.

True. But wrong is wrong.

 

[Spice]

I don't think that's a helpful approach.

Almost by definition, the extreme can't include the mainstream. Religious extremism has to be distinct from the religious mainstream or religious moderatism (is "moderatism" a word?).

Religion, like humankind, is continually progressing forward, but we can't allow complacency or the progression stumbles. We must continue to strive for betterment.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Religion, like humankind, is continually progressing forward, but we can't allow complacency or the progression stumbles. We must continue to strive for betterment.

Sure... but it seems that you're suggesting complacency.

Labelling negative cases as "extremism" suggests that the problems with the thing are just issues on the fringe... i.e. that any problems aren't systemic.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Sure... but it seems that you're suggesting complacency.

Labelling negative cases as "extremism" suggests that the problems with the thing are just issues on the fringe... i.e. that any problems aren't systemic.

Yeah, I get you, but that is not unique to religion,
But if someone claims it is unique to religion it is to me a case of extremism.

 

[Spice]

Sure... but it seems that you're suggesting complacency.

Labelling negative cases as "extremism" suggests that the problems with the thing are just issues on the fringe... i.e. that any problems aren't systemic.

But you are the one that said my definition covers nearly all religions, so you are accepting complacency. I am reiterating perfection has not been achieved, though progress has been made.

Even in the company of Jesus, extremism was shown when Peter raised his sword and sliced off the ear of the guard in Gethsemane. Extremism is found in all religion. But do the leaders all "stay the hand and make amends" as Jesus did with Peter?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

But you are the one that said my definition covers nearly all religions, so you are accepting complacency.

No, I'm not. I'm saying that intentional harm is a core feature of many religions. Labelling the problem as "extremism" points to the wrong thing. It isn't the extremes that are the problem; these religions are rotten to the core.

I am reiterating perfection has not been achieved, though progress has been made.

Even in the company of Jesus, extremism was shown when Peter raised his sword and sliced off the ear of the guard in Gethsemane. Extremism is found in all religion. But do the leaders all "stay the hand and make amends" as Jesus did with Peter?

Jesus spends a lot of time in the Gospels reveling in the image of his opponents suffering horribly in a future reckoning.

Christianity is a religion of violence. Even the nominally pacifist denominations aren't opppsed to violence on principle; they just think that all violence should be carried out by God. Violence isn't an "extreme" or fringe part of only some Christianity; it's part of the very fabric of the religion.

 

[Spice]

No, I'm not. I'm saying that intentional harm is a core feature of many religions. Labelling the problem as "extremism" points to the wrong thing. It isn't the extremes that are the problem; these religions are rotten to the core.



Jesus spends a lot of time in the Gospels reveling in the image of his opponents suffering horribly in a future reckoning.

Christianity is a religion of violence. Even the nominally pacifist denominations aren't opppsed to violence on principle; they just think that all violence should be carried out by God. Violence isn't an "extreme" or fringe part of only some Christianity; it's part of the very fabric of the religion.

I agree that has been the history, even the tradition if you like, but it's not the core of Christianity. The core is: Matt 22:
37Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 

[Heyo]

Extremism relates to someone holding a series of religious/ideological views considered outside the normal and acceptable by the person using the term.

^^^ This.

The ± 1 σ range is mainstream, ± 2 σ is normal, outside ± 2 σ is unusual, outside ± 3 σ is extreme.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

^^^ This.

The ± 1 σ range is mainstream, ± 2 σ is normal, outside ± 2 σ is unusual, outside ± 3 σ is extreme.

Yeah, that is one version of it.
Then we add neurodiversity and some usages of some of your categories break down, because neurodiversity is not per se exterme. It is just diverse.

 

[Augustus]

I dont see why it can't, for a while in Germany the Nazism were mainstream, would you say they weren't ideologically extreme even though they were mainstream within the context of German society?

What is extreme is based on the judgement of the person using the term. It’s in the eye of the beholder.

There is no neutral yardstick.

Many Nazis probably didn’t consider themselves extreme. Many people today consider fairly mainstream aspects of liberalism “extreme” (for example related to LGBT rights).

 

[danieldemol]

What is extreme is based on the judgement of the person using the term. It’s in the eye of the beholder.

There is no neutral yardstick.

Many Nazis probably didn’t consider themselves extreme. Many people today consider fairly mainstream aspects of liberalism “extreme” (for example related to LGBT rights).

Well in my view being the cause of demonstrable harm is a better yardstick than merely "things I don't like"

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Well in my view being the cause of demonstrable harm is a better yardstick than merely "things I don't like"

Well, for demonstrable harm there is in a sense no such thing, because it is subjective.

 

[danieldemol]

Well, for demonstrable harm there is in a sense no such thing, because it is subjective.

Ok, just don't claim that the harm you recieve is only subjective as you get shoved into a gas chamber lol

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Ok, just don't claim that the harm you recieve is only subjective as you get shoved into a gas chamber lol

Well, it is as understand the words subjective and objective.

 

[SalixIncendium]

To me, there are only two choices to consider:

1. A person who simply follows the tenets of his religion in great detail, and without deviation.

2. A person who has to 'read in' commands to the extent that they actually oppose the true message.

My vote goes for number 1.

Comments and quibbles welcome.

I'm grateful that those who are ignorant of what 'religion' is do not get to decide what "religious extremism" is.

 

[mangalavara]

To me a religious extremist is one example of a fanatic. A fanatic is single-minded and has excessive zeal. This often leads to extreme behavior of one sort or another. It can and does lead to the sense that if you don't agree with the fanatic you are less than human and should be forced to do what the fanatic wants or killed in the extreme case.

I agree with your definition of a religious extremist.

 

[ChristineM]

Comments and quibbles welcome.

Someone who commits harm and or violence in the name if their religion.

 

[SalixIncendium]

There are a lot of vague claims in there that aren't shown to be true. I would agree that fundamentalists believe they are being honest in their approach, but name one religion that has a correct version.

None of them of course, that’s why it’s strange.

Since you know none of them do, it appears you know what the "correct version" is. Please share with the class.

 

[Banach-Tarski Paradox]

There is a strange kinship between some anti-theists and religious fundamentalists whereby they tend to ignore historical reality and insist that the fundamentalists are indeed the only ones being honest and practicing the correct version of the religion.

Fundamentalists atheists supporting fundamentalist Christianity is a strange phenomena that seems to have arisen in the 21st century.

I suspect that it is an internet phenomena.

 

[Augustus]

Since you know none of them do, it appears you know what the "correct version" is. Please share with the class.

None of them have a correct version (singular) as they are full of subjective judgements and preferences that may be considered equally correct or at least equally acceptable.