Fundamentalism.

Christian Fundamentalism is an early 20th Century fear reaction to the Enlightenment.

The Enlightenment centered on rationalism, empiricism, and political ideas such as natural law, liberty, and progress.

But Fundamentalism was based on Biblical literalism, strict adherence to the Law, moral purity, obedience to authority, and hatred of sin.

That their beliefs were based in fear was not apparent to them and they considered their rigid faith to be superior to Liberalism or Progressive religious ideas.

This is not strictly Biblical because they ignore Jesus' criticism of the Legalism of the Jewish authorities and his rejection of tradition and moralism.

And so fear is the enemy.

Beginning and ending with the fear of God.

Photo Credit: The Conversation.