________________
152
Philosophical Writings
in the context of Social and Ethical value or system. In the deeper sense Secularism leads to mean that it is not concerned with what is religious and spiritual and is opposed to anything i.e. irrational. Fundamentalism, Fanaticism and Terrorism:
The term Terrorism and Terrorists' activities, does not need any explanation or discussion. We all not merely know it but hate it and of course, are very much worried of it.
Religious Fundamentalism precisely is an attitude or insistence to stick to Religious Texts - without any modification or interpretation or change. “What I say is scripture and one has to believe or act accordingly. If one does not he will be punished?” This clearly brings the element of force and use of punishment through violence in fundamentalism. Fundamentalism believes that it is his duty to force or even to kill those who do not;act according to his understanding of scripture. Force means forcible submission, force means violence. Thus, we find absence of freedom, peace and cordial relationship in fundamentalism. A claim for the absolute truth of knowledge and craze to establish his religion all over the world, to die for it but not to budge, is the essence of fundamentalism. This is essence of Crusade or Jehad in Christianity or Islam. To win back the control from those who belong to nonChristian or non-Islamic sect or religion is reflected in to killing of innocent people and destruction of property.
Fundamentalism and its activities are irrational or anti-rational in nature. No rationalist, in the right sense in the term, can be a fundamentalist. Instead of reason, power of faith and staunchism operate. A belief about fundamentalists being uneducated is not necessarily true. Education does not always include rationality. The myth of belief that modern education will prevent fundamentalism, fanaticism and terrorism is proved to be baseless and false.
Fundamentalism, fanaticism and terrorism thus, have proved to be big threats to values like freedom, co-existence, cordial relationship, universal brotherhood and peace.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org