Purity and the threat of fundamentalism

Abstract

Mary Douglasʼ seminal work Purity and Danger on purity, dirt and pollution offers additional perspectives for an analysis of the dynamics of fundamentalism. This article specifically applies Douglas’ categories in investigating the phenomenon of fundamentalism from a particular perspective. One defining element of fundamentalist ideology is the pervasive use of symbolic concepts of purity and sanctity. The idealisation of purity is interlinked with the abhorrence of and defence against thoughts, behaviours, lifestyles, individuals or societal processes that are perceived as contaminating and threatening. Theological, cultural-anthropological and socio-psychological approaches to the subject reveal that all religions are inextricably linked to notions of purity and sanctity and thus all hold fundamentalist potentials. As such, fundamentalism does not solely constitute a ‘misuse’ of religion. The phenomenon of fundamentalism is not restricted to the religious domain; secular ideologies, movements or political structures are equally susceptible to fundamentalist thought and its violence. Focussing on the category of purity, this article explores the occurrence of fundamentalism, highlighting the role of violence, and sets out to take Douglas’ theory beyond the realm of religion.