Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 224
there have been religions.‖ In America the pendulum swung from right in Puritan theocracy
to left in constitutionally protected religious freedom. It swings right when civil issues are
seen as moral imperatives requiring political action. There are many varieties of Christian
fundamentalists, but all are committed to absolute literal scriptural truth, which only they
possess and which empowers them to evangelize. ―Modernism‖ is the label for deviating
from their version and interpretation of the Bible. They become part of problems they try to
solve obsessively, incompletely, unlawfully or with ―fixed certainty they are right about what
God wants and God wants them to be in power‖ (p. 26). This has led to social isolation
oblivious to those outside the exclusive group of the born again or saved, a simplistic
worldview.
Chapter 3 cites the case of a supposedly religious father who beat his daughter, who later
died of the injury. A study is reported that found religious affiliation ―a better predictor of
violent behavior toward children than age, gender, social class, or size of residence‖ (p. 49).
Corporal punishment in schools is cited as legal in some states though proven ineffective.
There are contradictions. Sex abuse is said to be more likely in patriarchal family structures,
when sex is considered sinful but happens and is denied and kept secret. Most Catholics are
not necessarily fundamentalists but their church is, ―the authoritarian, closed, absolutist
hierarchy that allowed and to a degree promoted the disgrace the church faces today‖ (p.
55). A study reported increased victimization by non-relatives as a family‘s religious activity
decreases, yet Koresh‘s Branch Davidians is given as an example of molestation ―perceived
as a commandment from God‖ (p. 57). Religion in the schools is discussed from the old
McGuffy‘s Readers to private religious schools, Jewish after-school programs, and home
schooling to offset Protestant influence or provide what is seen as better quality instruction.
The realities of maintaining standards and the effect of social isolation are examined. The
chapter ends defending freedom of religion but not as a ―disguise‖ for physical, sexual, or
intellectual abuse.
Chapter 4 describes fundamentalist male dominance, despite the emergence of female
equality in government and the workplace. Adhering to literal Biblical translation justifies
discrimination since both the Old and New Testaments place women in a subservient role.
The Christian right goes further by attacking female equality and ―glorifying
submissiveness.‖ Pat Robertson is quoted calling feminism ―a socialist, anti-family political
movement encouraging women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice
witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians‖ (p. 82). If God is male, submitting to
men becomes a sacred duty. Studies cited show women in subordinate marital roles have
lower self-esteem and are subjected to more physical and mental abuse. Opposition to ERA
and abortion rights is detailed. The chapter ends concluding ―women raised in Christian
fundamentalist homes suffer emotionally, sexually, and physically as adults‖ (p. 113)
Chapter 5 describes the effect of Christian fundamentalism on society. Belief about
procreation ―leads to poverty‖ by ―untimely or unwanted pregnancies,‖ though other causes
of poverty are acknowledged (p. 116). Many Crisis Pregnancy Clinics use ―shock tactics‖
and false information ―even when a single mother already has several children and no
income‖ (p. 118). Though ―vehemently denied‖ fundamentalism contributes to prejudice,
discrimination, and hate crimes. There has been bigotry between Catholics and Protestants
and Christians and Jews, Muslims, and atheists. Historically, slavery was ―favored by
conservative Christians‖ and ―extreme Christian based sects‖ such as the Ku Klux Klan and
Aryan Nation (p. 119). Bob Jones University is an example of the most segregated private
religious schools. Judging homosexuality a sin justifies discrimination by sexual preference.
Exhibitionism ―appears to be related to fundamentalism‖ (p. 138) and 12 of 18 mass or
serial killers had ―very religious upbringing or belief in demons and devils‖ (p. 139). Moral
and social development theories of Kohlberg, Durkheim, and Riesman are cited showing
fundamentalists are stuck at an externalized law and order stage. Though ―only a small
there have been religions.‖ In America the pendulum swung from right in Puritan theocracy
to left in constitutionally protected religious freedom. It swings right when civil issues are
seen as moral imperatives requiring political action. There are many varieties of Christian
fundamentalists, but all are committed to absolute literal scriptural truth, which only they
possess and which empowers them to evangelize. ―Modernism‖ is the label for deviating
from their version and interpretation of the Bible. They become part of problems they try to
solve obsessively, incompletely, unlawfully or with ―fixed certainty they are right about what
God wants and God wants them to be in power‖ (p. 26). This has led to social isolation
oblivious to those outside the exclusive group of the born again or saved, a simplistic
worldview.
Chapter 3 cites the case of a supposedly religious father who beat his daughter, who later
died of the injury. A study is reported that found religious affiliation ―a better predictor of
violent behavior toward children than age, gender, social class, or size of residence‖ (p. 49).
Corporal punishment in schools is cited as legal in some states though proven ineffective.
There are contradictions. Sex abuse is said to be more likely in patriarchal family structures,
when sex is considered sinful but happens and is denied and kept secret. Most Catholics are
not necessarily fundamentalists but their church is, ―the authoritarian, closed, absolutist
hierarchy that allowed and to a degree promoted the disgrace the church faces today‖ (p.
55). A study reported increased victimization by non-relatives as a family‘s religious activity
decreases, yet Koresh‘s Branch Davidians is given as an example of molestation ―perceived
as a commandment from God‖ (p. 57). Religion in the schools is discussed from the old
McGuffy‘s Readers to private religious schools, Jewish after-school programs, and home
schooling to offset Protestant influence or provide what is seen as better quality instruction.
The realities of maintaining standards and the effect of social isolation are examined. The
chapter ends defending freedom of religion but not as a ―disguise‖ for physical, sexual, or
intellectual abuse.
Chapter 4 describes fundamentalist male dominance, despite the emergence of female
equality in government and the workplace. Adhering to literal Biblical translation justifies
discrimination since both the Old and New Testaments place women in a subservient role.
The Christian right goes further by attacking female equality and ―glorifying
submissiveness.‖ Pat Robertson is quoted calling feminism ―a socialist, anti-family political
movement encouraging women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice
witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians‖ (p. 82). If God is male, submitting to
men becomes a sacred duty. Studies cited show women in subordinate marital roles have
lower self-esteem and are subjected to more physical and mental abuse. Opposition to ERA
and abortion rights is detailed. The chapter ends concluding ―women raised in Christian
fundamentalist homes suffer emotionally, sexually, and physically as adults‖ (p. 113)
Chapter 5 describes the effect of Christian fundamentalism on society. Belief about
procreation ―leads to poverty‖ by ―untimely or unwanted pregnancies,‖ though other causes
of poverty are acknowledged (p. 116). Many Crisis Pregnancy Clinics use ―shock tactics‖
and false information ―even when a single mother already has several children and no
income‖ (p. 118). Though ―vehemently denied‖ fundamentalism contributes to prejudice,
discrimination, and hate crimes. There has been bigotry between Catholics and Protestants
and Christians and Jews, Muslims, and atheists. Historically, slavery was ―favored by
conservative Christians‖ and ―extreme Christian based sects‖ such as the Ku Klux Klan and
Aryan Nation (p. 119). Bob Jones University is an example of the most segregated private
religious schools. Judging homosexuality a sin justifies discrimination by sexual preference.
Exhibitionism ―appears to be related to fundamentalism‖ (p. 138) and 12 of 18 mass or
serial killers had ―very religious upbringing or belief in demons and devils‖ (p. 139). Moral
and social development theories of Kohlberg, Durkheim, and Riesman are cited showing
fundamentalists are stuck at an externalized law and order stage. Though ―only a small
