High control religious groups are fundamentalist by nature.
My personal experience has been with Evangelical Christianity, but my professional experience has shown me that many religious groups are embedded with varying degrees of fundamentalism.
What I have discovered in both my personal life and in my work with clients who are deconstructing their religious beliefs is that a fundamentalist orientation towards life and the world often persists even after leaving a high control religion.
This is because religious trauma often creates internalized fundamentalism.
Curious about what “internalized fundamentalism” is and whether you’re experiencing it?
Then keep on reading because this article has you covered!
What We’ll Be Covering
What’s a Fundamentalist?
Until recently, I had only heard the term “fundamentalism” or “fundamentalist” applied to the most extreme branches of religious sects.
I’d heard of Fundamentalist Mormons — the ones who still believe in the practice of polygamy for example.
And I’d heard of Fundamentalist Baptists — like the Westboro Baptists who gained significant notoriety by picketing military funerals.
But until fairly recently, I didn’t understand that the term fundamentalist really describes a pattern of thinking.
This is why I wanted to give you an overview of what a fundamentalist is before we go any further.
Understanding Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is a way of viewing the world with a rigid perspective of what is “right.”
While I was raised in fundamentalist evangelical christianity, there are plenty of other high control religious groups that are fundamentalist in nature as well (even though most of them shy away from the label “fundamentalist”).
In fact, fundamentalism can apply to people, groups and organizations that are totally separate from religious groups.
We see this a lot with politics – on both sides!
In essence, fundamentalism is any system of belief that holds its own truths as absolute and disregards or dismisses any opposing views or evidence.
In other words, it’s the belief that a single way of thinking is the only correct way to view the world and any deviation from this is unacceptable.
Characteristics of a Fundamentalist
A hallmark of fundamentalism is the expectation of a strong adherence to rigidly defined beliefs and practices, which results in close-mindedness and intolerance towards differing views.
This person will often advocate for the literal interpretation and application of their beliefs, seeing the world in black & white — not a shade of gray in sight!
This can lead to a strong sense of moral superiority and judgment towards those who don’t align with their beliefs.
Additionally, fundamentalists often have a need for control and authority, believing that their way is the only right way.
Dissent or questioning of beliefs can be seen as a threat to this control and met with hostility.
Harms Associated with Being a Fundamentalist
It’s important to understand the risk factors associated with being a fundamentalist.
Here’s the thing — being confined to such narrow and rigid perspectives can lead to a sense of fear and anxiety when faced with conflicting ideas or beliefs.
This means that mental health issues, such as anxiety depression — even OCD, may arise from the pressure to always conform and live up to strict expectations.
Additionally, there is often a strong emphasis on conformity within fundamentalist groups, which can lead to a loss of individual identity and autonomy.
Furthermore, fundamentalist beliefs can often be harmful or discriminatory towards marginalized groups, leading to social isolation while fostering an “us vs them” mentality.
Fundamentalism also limits the ability to think critically or consider alternative perspectives, hindering personal growth and development.
In extreme cases, fundamentalist thinking can fuel extremist behavior, leading to violence against those who do not share the same beliefs.
Examples of Non-Religious Fundamentalism
As mentioned above, we often see fundamentalist attitudes emerge around religion, but there are other belief structures and ideologies where fundamentalism can easily show up as well.
Here are a few examples of fundamentalist beliefs and attitudes that can be observed in contexts other than religion.
Political Fundamentalism:
This can be seen in the form of staunch partisanship, where policies and ideologies of a particular political party are considered to be absolutely correct and any criticism or alternative viewpoints are rejected outright.
Cultural Fundamentalism:
This manifests as an unwavering belief in the superiority of one’s own culture, and a disregard or even contempt for other cultures and their values.
Scientific Fundamentalism:
This refers to the dogmatic belief in the absolute truth of a scientific theory, rejecting any other forms of knowledge or wisdom.
Although science is a rigorous and often empirically-based discipline, it’s important to recognize that our understanding of the universe continues to evolve and absolute certainty is rare.
Economic Fundamentalism:
This is exemplified by the unwavering belief in a particular economic system or theory, such as capitalism or socialism, as the one and only solution to economic challenges.
This type of fundamentalism isn’t able to take into account the complexities and nuances of real-world economies.
Spiritual Fundamentalism:
This is different from most forms of religious fundamentalism in that it pendulum swings to the opposite of religiosity, instead embracing “spirituality” as superior.
Law of attraction and manifestation gurus often embody spiritual fundamentalism.
Body-Based Fundamentalism:
This has to do with staunchly held beliefs about how to manage the human body through things like nutrition & fitness protocols.
This can be seen in extreme approaches to dieting, fitness, and wellness trends that claim to have all the answers for optimal health.
Ethical Fundamentalism:
This is seen in the propensity to embrace an ideology that would transform the planet for the better.
While the intentions are often noble, the black & white thinking about a specific ideology being the “right way” tends to generate even more divisiveness, rather than bringing people together to work towards the common good.
What is Internalized Fundamentalism?
Ok, now that we have a clear understanding of what fundamentalism is, let’s talk about internalized fundamentalism.
Internalized fundamentalism refers to how fundamentalism can become held in our nervous system.
For those of us who have left a high control religion and deconstructed our faith, we may find that while our cognitive choices may have changed, our nervous system continues to seek absolutes and certainty.
This means that while we may let go of a specific religious ideology, we may continue to approach other areas of our life and our orientation to the world in a very rigid, black & white way.
For myself, after leaving religion, I channeled my own internalized fundamentalism into my dietary choices, my spiritual orientation towards the world, and my political ideology.
While I was no longer “religious,” I was still very much a fundamentalist in these other areas of my life.
Causes of Internalized Fundamentalism:
Here’s what’s important to understand: internalized fundamentalism is not just a belief system, but a trauma response deeply rooted in our psyche.
When we’re raised in a rigid religious environment, the strict rules and absolutes become ingrained in our minds and bodies as the only way to feel safe and secure.
This phenomenon is often compounded by the use of Phobia Indoctrination, a manipulative tactic used by most high control religions to coerce and control people by exploiting fears and instilling irrational phobias.
The Outcome of Internalized Fundamentalism:
So, what happens when we leave the fundamentalist ideology but still carry this internalized fear-based thinking?
It can lead to feelings of shame and guilt for not living up to certain standards or beliefs.
It may show up as perfectionism, anxiety, and difficulty making decisions as we are constantly seeking external validation and approval from others rather than trusting our own intuition.
Black & white thinking and an ongoing us vs them mentality is another common outcome of internalized fundamentalism.
It can also look like very quickly needing to “decide” on another set of beliefs or a specific ideology to adhere to.
And lastly, internalized fundamentalism often creates a sense of superiority or judgment towards others who may not share the same beliefs or values.
Is Being a Fundamentalist All Bad?
While embodied fundamentalism can have negative effects on our growth and relationships, it’s important to recognize that some aspects of fundamentalist may actually be positive.
For example, having a strong sense of morality and adhering to certain principles may be valuable.
However, when these beliefs become rigid and absolute, they can restrict growth and hinder our ability to understand and connect with others in healthy ways.
With that being said, let’s compare and contrast some of the positive and negative aspects of fundamentalism.
Positive Aspects of Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism, when viewed positively, can create a sense of unity and camaraderie among its followers.
When you buy into a particular ideology or belief system, you’ll likely have a greater sense of stability and certainty during times of societal change or upheaval.
Furthermore, fundamentalist beliefs often inspire you to live a disciplined life while also offering a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose.
Here are a few of the positives of fundamentalism:
- Strong Moral Framework: Fundamentalism often results in a strong sense of morality. This can provide people with a clear guidance system for making decisions in their lives.
- Consistency: Given its rigid nature, fundamentalism can provide a consistent structure and routine in life, which can be stabilizing and a source of comfort, especially for those who have experienced chaos in their lives.
- Unity and Community: Shared beliefs foster a sense of community and unity among those who adhere to the same fundamentalist ideas.
- Purpose and Direction: Fundamentalist thinking often provides people with a sense of purpose and direction in life, giving meaning to their actions and experiences.
- Resilience: The strong belief system of a fundamentalist can often make them resilient in the face of adversity, as they have a clear purpose and moral compass to guide them.
Negative Aspects of Fundamentalism
Ok, now that we’ve considered some of the potential positive aspects of fundamentalism, let’s balance it out against some pretty clear negatives.
Fundamentalism restricts our ability to see the nuances and complexities of life.
Change is often difficult.
Understanding other perspectives becomes a challenge. And resistance towards new ideas and information becomes common.
This is because, as mentioned above, our nervous system seeks safety through absolutes, which perpetuates rigidity.
Here are a few of the negatives of fundamentalism:
- Intolerance: Fundamentalist thinking can lead to a lack of tolerance for different beliefs and values, impeding understanding and creating divisiveness.
- Rigidity: The unwavering nature of fundamentalist beliefs can make adaptation to new situations or information difficult.
- Resistance to Growth: By holding onto rigid beliefs, opportunities for personal growth and learning is often limited.
- Conflict: Strong adherence to one’s own beliefs can often lead to conflict with those who hold different views.
- Limited Perspective: A fundamentalist viewpoint often restricts the ability to appreciate the complexities and nuances inherent in life, limiting one’s perspective and appreciation of diversity.
- Isolation: The rigidity of fundamentalist thinking can lead to social isolation if one’s beliefs are not shared by others.
Overlapping Characteristics: Fundamentalism & Neurodiversity
While fundamentalism and neurodiversity may seem like unrelated topics, there are some overlapping characteristics between the two.
I wanted to take note of some of the parallels and differences because when I discuss the rigidity and black & white thinking of fundamentalism on social media, I often have people ask how to tell whether it’s really fundamentalism or actually a manifestation of their ADHD or Autism.
This is such an important question, and I hope the information below can provide some clarity.
Parallels Between Fundamentalism & Neurodiversity
This is not an exhaustive list nor is it meant to be reflective of every person’s experience.
These are just a few of the potential areas of overlap between neurodiversity and fundamentalism.
- Resistance to Change: Neurodiverse folks tend to struggle with change and new information, similar to the rigidity seen in fundamentalist thinking.
- Social Isolation: Neurodiverse folks may also experience social isolation due to differences in perception and communication styles, similar to the potential isolation experienced by fundamentalists who seem to “speak their own language.”
- Limited Perspectives: People with neurodiversity may also struggle with limited perspectives due to often thinking in “absolutes” and “black & white,” which is very similar to the thinking patterns of fundamentalists.
- Potential for Conflict: Both fundamentalists and folks with neurodiversity may experience conflicts with others who hold different beliefs or perspectives due to strongly held convictions.
Differences Between Fundamentalism & Neurodiversity
In my opinion, while there are a few areas of overlap between neurodiversity and embodied fundamentalism {which I reviewed above}, there are quite a few more differences between the two.
Again, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list or reflective of everyone’s experience, but these are the differences I have seen.
- The Source of Rigidity: While fundamentalist thinking is often rooted in strong beliefs and resistance to change, either due to trauma or childhood conditioning, the rigidity in neurodiverse folks often stems from differences in the way the brain processes information.
- Intentions: Fundamentalists may hold their beliefs with the intention of converting or persuading others, while neurodiverse individuals are usually trying to navigate their own experiences and perspectives.
- Impact on Mental Health: Fundamentalist beliefs can sometimes lead to negative impacts on mental health, whereas neurodiversity itself is not a mental health disorder.
- Intervention: While fundamentalist thinking can (and should) be challenged and potentially changed through education and exposure to different perspectives, neurodiversity itself does not require treatment or “fixing” as it is a natural part of human diversity.
- Communication: People with fundamentalist beliefs may struggle with open-minded communication due to their strong convictions, while neurodiverse folks may face challenges in communicating effectively due to differences in processing and social cues.
How to Stop Being a Fundamentalist
As we dive deeper into understanding fundamentalism, it’s important to realize that recovering from a fundamentalist mentality involves cultivating an awareness of its presence and being willing to change.
Recovery isn’t about disparaging deeply held beliefs, but rather, it’s about opening yourself up to a world of diverse perspectives and ideas.
It’s about creating an environment where constructive dialogue can thrive and where empathy and understanding take priority over the need for absolutism.
With that being said, let’s explore some strategies to help you get started!
Step 1: Recognize & Acknowledge Your Beliefs
The first step to changing fundamentalist thinking is to recognize and acknowledge your own beliefs.
Take a step back and reflect on where these beliefs come from and why you hold them so strongly.
Are they based on personal experiences or teachings from others?
This self-awareness can help you challenge the beliefs that are related to “safety seeking” rather than a true reflection of your values.
Step 2: Cultivate Open Mindedness
It’s important to seek understanding and be open-minded when it comes to different perspectives.
Try to learn about and understand other beliefs and ways of thinking, even if you don’t agree with them.
This can help broaden your perspective and challenge rigid thinking patterns.
Step 3: Engage with Different Perspectives
Engaging with different perspectives is key to becoming less fundamentalist.
Instead of viewing differences as a threat, see them as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Engage in respectful conversations and try to understand where others are coming from.
Step 4: Challenge Your Beliefs and Assumptions
It’s important to regularly challenge your beliefs and assumptions.
Ask yourself why you believe what you do and consider alternative perspectives.
This can help break down rigid thinking patterns and lead to more open-mindedness.
Step 5: Be Willing to Change Your Mind
Being open to changing your mind is a critical part of reducing fundamentalism.
It’s okay to admit that you may have been wrong or that your beliefs have evolved — even if it feels scary to do so at first!
Remember, growth and learning are ongoing, so try to be gentle with yourself during this process.
Step 6: Cultivate Empathy and Compassion
Empathy and compassion are a major part of breaking free from the rigidity of fundamentalist thinking.
By putting yourself in others’ shoes and seeing things from their perspective, you’re developing a better understanding of differences, which creates space for greater compassion, both towards yourself and others.
Step 7: Engage in Continuous Learning
Continuously learning and seeking knowledge is a key aspect of breaking away from fundamentalist thinking.
By being open to new ideas, reading diverse perspectives, and engaging in thoughtful discussions, you’ll be broadening your viewpoints and challenging rigidly held beliefs.
Summary
Unfortunately, addressing internalized fundamentalism is not a quick or easy process.
It takes patience and persistence to identify ingrained beliefs and to begin developing new, healthier ones.
So try to be patient with yourself and others, and remember that progress takes time.
Because here’s the thing — it will probably take longer than you think…
I’m not saying that to discourage you, but rather, to help you be more gentle with yourself during this process.
Internalized fundamentalism is a trauma response that likely developed over many years.
And it’s going to take time for your nervous system to learn safety in a different type of context… But it can be done.
And I know you can do it!
Further Resources
If this article resonated with you, consider joining my Religious Harm Recovery Group to connect with others who “get it.”
You’ll may also want to check out Dr. Laura Anderson’s book When Religion Hurts You, because she does a really good job delving into the topic of religious trauma.
And lastly, if you haven’t signed up for my bi-weekly emails, be sure to do so below!