What is Fundamentalism?
Wed 27 Feb 2013, 09:30 - 16:45

- Venue
- The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH
This conference was in three parts. The first session explored the definitions and origins of Fundamentalism, including a look at its roots in American Protestantism and an examination of what constitutes the Fundamentalist mindset.
The second session looked in more detail at different kinds of Fundamentalism – through the eyes of experts on Islamic, Jewish and Hindu religious and cultural traditions.
The final session asked what the conditions are which are producing or reproducing Fundamentalism in today’s world, and whether dialogue is possible with Fundamentalists. It included present and historical perspectives on non-religious ideologies and on Scientific Fundamentalism as well as the rising political influence of Fundamentalism in countries including the USA, Israel and Pakistan.
Session One: Definitions and Origins of Fundamentalism
Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch Kt FBA, Oxford University (chair): Introduction
Professor James Dunn FBA, Durham University: The Roots of Christian Fundamentalism in American Protestantism
Professor Peter Herriot, City University: Exploring the Fundamentalist Mindset – the social psychologist’s viewpoint
Malise Ruthven, author of Fundamentalism: The Search for Meaning: Fundamentalism in the 21st century
Session Two: Fundamentalism in Religions other than Christianity
Professor Linda Woodhead, Lancaster University (chair): Introduction
Ed Husain, Council on Foreign Relations: Islamic Fundamentalism
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Movement for Reform: Jewish Fundamentalism
Professor Julius Lipner FBA, Cambridge University: Hindu Fundamentalism
Session Three: Fundamentalism in the Modern World
Sir Adam Roberts, President of the British Academy (chair): Introduction
Professor Peter Neumann, King’s College London: remarks
Karen Armstrong, author of Battle for God: remarks
Professor John Lennox, Oxford University: remarks