The Power of Clarity

In the winter of 2005 as I was waiting in line at the local grocery checkout, I saw a magazine for sale next to the Enquirer and People magazines. I had never heard of Parabola but as a philosophy geek, it piqued my interest. The issue contained many thoughtful articles defining fundamentalism. Back in 2005, fundamentalism was usually thought of in the context of foreign terrorists. But at the heart of this search to define fundamentalism was one word. And that word has a rare clarity and strength. Fundamentalism was defined as any line of thought that is "concretized"... meaning in this context as fixed and immovable as concrete. And of course, thought that is concretized is immune to reflection, refinement, intellectual challenge, careful analysis, or empathy for others.

Now there has always been fundamentalism in America. But as I scan the cultural zeitgeist, it is clear that America is full of people of all persuasions whose worldview is concretized and not open to reflection or discussion... nor respect for other points of view. Those we disagree with are without merit or deserving of grace. And just as important, fundamentalists have no responsibility for reflection, learning and honest engagement... nor for the consequences of their actions because their cause is "right". Now discussion and empathy doesn't mean one changes their point of view. But it does mean that you don't demonize those with other thoughts and feelings... or that you feel other points of view do not merit the same protection and freedom, as does yours. And, when you feel that the power of government must be used to enforce your world view, at the expense of others, you truly are concretized.