i think of fanaticism as belief under great stress, defending itself against dissolution. i don't really know much about history but i think of the 17th C in England as a time of religious fanaticism because the old order had broken apart into dozens of sects, there were mad pamphleteers on every corner, each with a different take on Christianity - hence there was more need for each believer to make his belief a hermetically-sealed, defended castle - and to attack others.
I would tend to agree, though that would involve over-compensation for doubt, born of a lack of faith, since faith means being capable of bearing doubt.
i think of fanaticism as belief under great stress, defending itself against dissolution. i don't really know much about history but i think of the 17th C in England as a time of religious fanaticism because the old order had broken apart into dozens of sects, there were mad pamphleteers on every corner, each with a different take on Christianity - hence there was more need for each believer to make his belief a hermetically-sealed, defended castle - and to attack others.
ReplyDeleteI would tend to agree, though that would involve over-compensation for doubt, born of a lack of faith, since faith means being capable of bearing doubt.
ReplyDelete