Religious Fundamentalism

Depending on the crowd, say the word "fundamentalism" and chances are it will summon up ominous images: bombed-out abortion clinics in the U.S., burning buildings and bloodshed in Bali, Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and of course the crumbling World Trade Center.

These are, some would argue, misguided images — or at least, not the full picture. For many Christian, Muslim and Jewish adherents, fundamentalism is simply returning to the founding principles — the fundamentals — of the religion.

But as roaring violence persists in the name of God around the world and religious groups have a deeper hand in politics, can we truly understand Religious Fundamentalism? How do we break it down?

Hear about defining religious fundamentalism and its role in the 21st century.

Guests:

John Esposito, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, and Founding Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding

Reverend Rob Shenck, Board Member of the Evangelical Church Alliance, based in Bradley Illinois

Mahmud Al-Rashid, Editor of Emel Magazine, member of
the executive committee of the Muslim Council of Britain.