What is religious extremism bad?

[Nooj]

Both religious and non-religious people seem to talk about religious extremism, as if it's obviously bad. But I don't see why it's so obvious. Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

 

[beerisit]

Because it's stupid?

 

[Nooj]

Why is religious extremism stupid?

 

[Road Warrior]

Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

No. Extremism is bad because is takes a viewpoint which prevents learning, further education or adaption to changing circumstances.

Extremism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Extremism is any ideology or political act far outside the perceived political center of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards.

Extremism in America: Introduction

At the root of extremism are radical ideologies, radical religious beliefs and pent-up anger and frustration, all of which can lead to violent acts ranging from hate crimes to terrorism. In the United States, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 9-11 terrorist attacks six years later, have made it painfully clear that Americans cannot ignore the dangers of extremism.

 

[manc]

Both religious and non-religious people seem to talk about religious extremism, as if it's obviously bad. But I don't see why it's so obvious. Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

not really extremist try to enforce there beliefs onto others.

 

[Nooj]

not really extremist try to enforce there beliefs onto others.

So that's pretty much everyone on this board then.

 

[Madhuri]

I tend to view extremism as becoming violent. Extremists are the terrorists, are the people who are filled with hate, are the people who force their ideas onto others (violently). It goes from spreading their message peacefully to becoming forceful and harmful.

 

[Nooj]

No. Extremism is bad because is takes a viewpoint which prevents learning, further education or adaption to changing circumstances.

I don't know if that's true. Can you give me an example as evidence?

From my experience with 'extremists', such as white supremacists and Salafis, they seem to think in much the same way as other people who aren't considered extremists.

Extremism is any ideology or political act far outside the perceived political center of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards.

So gay equality in the Middle East is an extremist ideology?

Extremism in America: Introduction

But I don't think extremist beliefs are necessarily violent. The British National Party, whom many would consider to be extreme for their anti-immigration stance, officially disapproves of violence. You can be a far-right racist and not want to blow people up.

 

[Revoltingest]

Bad is as bad does.
The Amish are extremists, yet they're among the more peaceful & independent people I've met.
Compare this with ordinary folk in Detroit, MI, where violence & murder afflicted my GM coworkers.

 

[Breathe]

Both religious and non-religious people seem to talk about religious extremism, as if it's obviously bad. But I don't see why it's so obvious. Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

You're probably right; unfortunately, what is "extremism" seems to vary from person to person. Most people share an idea of certain things being extremist, but sometimes it can be vastly different.

For me, religious extremism is:

Literalism
Refusal to learn
Persecution complex
Desire to change the laws to suit their beliefs
Deliberate avoidance of "other", often with a tendency to a void interacting with the mainstream culture if it is different from their own
Possibility of violence, or glorification of violence
Often talks about "protecting the children"

However, this is subjective, and people can probably have several, or all of these, and still not be classed as extremists.

And anti-religious extremism is still a form of extremism, in my book. I've found a fair share of anti-theists whom I think are more intolerant than extremist theists. I don't really see a big difference between "I think everyone should be X religion in this country" to "I think all religions are false and should be banned".

My $0.02.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

Both religious and non-religious people seem to talk about religious extremism, as if it's obviously bad. But I don't see why it's so obvious. Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

To an extent, yes. I've heard myself or writers/speakers I admire described as "atheist extremists", and people often confuse religious fundamentalism with extremism.

Aside from these examples, however, I'd say it's fairly easy to agree on what constitutes actual religious extremism in general. It's usually defined by the belief that your particular religion should be dominant, to the extent of militarism or the desire to wipe-out opposing beliefs or promote, on a societal level, your religious beliefs into law.

So, for example, a religious person who thinks homosexuality is a sin: not extremist. Religious person who actively campaigns against gay rights on a religious basis or for the approval of laws that would outlaw, criminalize or marginalize homosexuals: extremist.

To be honest, it is a largely arbitrary distinction, and you're right then it tends to fall into the "if I dislike it, it's extremism" category. It's easier to look at groups like the Westboro Baptist Church or Al Quaida and call them extremists, but most of the rest of the time it's just a shooting gallery term.

 

[waitasec]

Why is religious extremism stupid?

seems that you may be confusing extremism with conviction...

i may be wrong though.

 

[Kerr]

Both religious and non-religious people seem to talk about religious extremism, as if it's obviously bad. But I don't see why it's so obvious. Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

No. I can dislike someones religious beliefs without calling them an extremist. For example I dislike the idea that homosexuality is a sin, but I wont call someone extremist for believing it is. If they on the other hand uses their religious belief that homosexuality is a sin as an excuse to harm homosexuals, then I would call them an extremist. Religious extremism tend to lead to violence and is not that tolerant about other point of views.

 

[Pragmatist]

Both religious and non-religious people seem to talk about religious extremism, as if it's obviously bad. But I don't see why it's so obvious. Isn't extremism just a label that we put onto religious beliefs that we don't like?

I don't think religious extremism is necessarily bad.

There have been some attempts to define the concept. I would propose this: the more willing a person is to act on their beliefs, the more "extreme" they are in these beliefs.

In this sense, extremism is not intrinsically a bad thing. It is, as another poster suggested, indistinguishable from strong conviction. The Amish are certainly extreme in following their beliefs. So was Hitler.

 

[Quintessence]

It seems to me that in order to objectively evaluate what "extreme" is we need to create a standardized scale to evaluate beliefs and then plot them on a graph. "Extreme" would be your outliers. We would need to keep in mind that our standardized scale is relative to a specific set of cultural norms. I doubt that extremists regard themselves as extremist. To them, we are the extremists and they are the cultural norm.

 

[Road Warrior]

I don't know if that's true. Can you give me an example as evidence?

It was in the links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremism So gay equality in the Middle East is an extremist ideology?

Nice straw man. What do you think and why?

 

[Nooj]

It was in the links.

There's several quotes from people defining extremism, but that doesn't constitute evidence that this is what extremism entails. That's why I asked for examples of what you said. Wikipedia doesn't have it.

Nice straw man. What do you think and why?

It's there in your link:

Extremism is any ideology or political act far outside the perceived political center of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards.

Gay equality is definitely an extremist ideology in the Middle East.

No. I can dislike someones religious beliefs without calling them an extremist. For example I dislike the idea that homosexuality is a sin, but I wont call someone extremist for believing it is. If they on the other hand uses their religious belief that homosexuality is a sin as an excuse to harm homosexuals, then I would call them an extremist. Religious extremism tend to lead to violence and is not that tolerant about other point of views.

What do you think about people who try to act on their beliefs? Take someone who thinks homosexuality is a sin, and now acts on their belief by advocating for banning gay marriage. That's not being violent against gays, but it's them simply acting on their beliefs (like Pragmatist says). Are they extremist?

Aside from these examples, however, I'd say it's fairly easy to agree on what constitutes actual religious extremism in general. It's usually defined by the belief that your particular religion should be dominant, to the extent of militarism or the desire to wipe-out opposing beliefs or promote, on a societal level, your religious beliefs into law.

So, for example, a religious person who thinks homosexuality is a sin: not extremist. Religious person who actively campaigns against gay rights on a religious basis or for the approval of laws that would outlaw, criminalize or marginalize homosexuals: extremist.

That would mean most of my Christian and Muslim friends are extremist. They really don't think gay marriage is acceptable. Or take abortion. They support pro-life, either by holding lectures and info-sessions at university, or by donating to pro-life groups, or defending the Catholic Church on Facebook, or even simply by wearing a t-shirt with a pro-life message.

I don't see how this is at all extremist, considering most Christians and Muslims seem to agree that gay marriage is a terrible thing and usually act on their belief. They're only extremist to someone else who believes and acts in the opposite way. Personally I'd never call them extremist, that implies my views are the centre and they're all deviating from me. When it might be that I'm the extremist for being pro-choice and pro-gay rights.

 

[manc]

So that's pretty much everyone on this board then.

???? i think people on here are giving there opinions,they are not enforcing there beliefs on anyone else.