Fundamentalism is both very enticing and addictive

I fear fundamentalism. Fundamentalism believes there is a simple answer that will fix everything. Fundamentalism may be political, religious, psychological, pharmacological, etc. Fundamentalism is both very enticing and addictive. It means that I do not have to figure out all the intricacies of a situation. I only need to subscribe and be submissive to whatever fundamentalism to which I’ve attached myself, ex. I only vote the party line, I will only go to my one true Church, etc. I no longer need to think for myself, and, in addition, I have a group who will give me support and affirmation. Fundamentalism is very enticing and addictive. A favorite religious professor of mine was said to remark that fundamentalism was “no room for fun, it damned whatever it disagrees with and there was minimal mental requirement.” I think he was correct. We are now inundated with political fundamentalism on the ‘right’ as well as the ‘left.’ Religious fundamentalism has always been among us when we hear ‘there is only one way to heaven, and it is my way’. Some psychologists believe their practice theory is right for every situation and physicians think a pill or some type of medical intervention will fix whatever is wrong. Human life, along with our society, culture, religious, health beliefs, etc. are more complicated than fundamentalists want to believe. Be careful about projecting fundamentalism onto others because there is a fundamentalist need living within each and everyone of us.