Fundamentalism is detrimental to society

Now we can have a real one! Troll free :) I am arguing that fundamentalism of any sort is dangerous for a few reasons. Note I am not arguing that religion itself is inherently dangerous, but rather that it too often accompanies certain character traits which are counterproductive to constructive debating and problem solving: 1. A religious text which (in most cases) long predates our lifetimes is dictating how we think and interact with others in the modern world. This holds true for fundamentalists (vs. say, progressives), even when the manuscript contradicts science, reason, or itself. Sometimes, subcultures are even created around fundamentalism, and may even begin to supersede the teachings of the manuscript. Feed the poor, or yell at them? Educate our youth, or lock them up? Pay for prisons and bombs or pay for healthcare and education? These and issues like abortion, evolution, and "free marketL are all divisive issues right now, mostly due to fundamentalism. . http://infidels.org... 2. Fundamentalists feel that they are entirely right and that everyone else is wrong. If you don't eventually agree with them, they will dismiss you as heathen or infidel or Samaritan, or whatever. Most other people learn and grow from debating with others, but fundamentalists only converse with others with the single goal of converting people to their own faith. This also means that many potentially valuable and rewarding relationships are passed by due to prejudging based on one's own interpretation of what a book says. Jews and Muslims, Muslims and Christians, Catholics and "witches" (and little boys? ). .. 3. Fundamentalists segregate themselves from the rest of the world by going to "Christian" schools or "Muslim" schools, concerts, coffeehouses, bookstores, dating sites, and etc. , where they surrounded themselves with people who only agree with everything their parents ever told them (who probably got it from their own parents). In this way, an entirely separate reality is created for that person which they believe is the reality that everyone else lives in as well. . http://www.simplypsychology.org... 4. Fundamentalism is used to control people, and makes them feel as if they have control. "Super secret going to heaven club". It works so well, that many American "Christians" advocate war and protest helping the poor. .. doesn't Christian mean "Christlike"? Muslims, on the other hand, will blow themselves up for the cause, in order to reach the 70 virgins. Then you have people like the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who basically just waste years of their lives knocking on doors with the sole purpose of converting others to do the same, which does absolutely nothing to make the world a better place. 5. Fundamentalists believe in talking plants or a magic golden plates, and place all their eggs in such baskets. They sit around waiting for the kingdom or the empire or whatever instead of living to their full potential. 6. Fundamentalism gives people unrealistic hopes and expectations. Many people sit around waiting for God to "move" or "act" instead of solving the problem for themselves or seeking someone who would be more than willing to help (but maybe not of their own religion). 7. Fundamentalists agree with other people who are fundamentalists, no matter what they say or do. Their is never any objectivity in their relationships or perceptions. In some cases, the level on commitment is absurd. Mormonism was started because Joseph Smith couldn't get away with polygamy as a protestant, but look how many LDS there are today. The south park episode doesn't do this justice. . http://www.shieldandrefuge.org... . http://www.youtube.com... . http://buddhism.about.com...