enemy, for the latter is more interested in education, democratic reforms,
and economic progress than in preserving the spiritual dimension of life.
Generic fundamentalism takes its cues from a sacred text that stands above
criticism. It sees time-honored social distinctions and cultural patterns as
rooted in the very nature of things, in the order of creation itself. That means
clear-cut and stratified roles for men and women, parents and children,
clergy and laity. On the other hand, generic fundamentalism seeks to mini-
mize the distinction between the state and the church. To hold that the state
should operate according to one set of publicly shared principles, while
individuals should operate according to multiple sets of privately shared
principles, is morally pernicious and ends up harming everyone, believers
and nonbelievers alike. Religious truths are no different from the truths of
medical science or aeronautical engineering: if they hold for anyone they
hold for everyone.^39Fundamentalisms claim that tragic consequences have befallen the world
as religious based values, identities and interpersonal relationships have
been undermined, especially by scientific world views and secular states.
Fundamentalisms, as compensatory ideologies rejecting modernity, provide
alternative “world views” that “explain” social, cultural, economic or eco-
nomic malaise and adversity on the basis of deviations from moral virtue.
Fundamentalists interpret current political events and/or natural phenome-
non as expressions of God’s will that can range from the rights of Brooklyn
Jews to claim ownership of Palestine, to seeing 9/11 as evidence of God’s
displeasure of gays, abortions and wanton sexuality, especially that of women.
Some fundamentalists saw Katrina as retribution for the sex, nudity and erotic
licentiousness of New Orleans and an impending gay rights festival.^40
Fundamentalisms typically regard an ethically based “good life” as based
on a 1) literal reading of a holy scripture, 2) clear cut hierarchies of age and
gender domination, and 3) strict moral codes of behavior and severe pun-
ishments for infractions, e.g., amputations for theft, stoning for adultery.
Sexual codes are central to fundamentalists. Impurities, especially female sex-
uality, represent danger, dirt and disorder that must be controlled and vio-
lations harshly avenged (Douglas 1966). Every expression of fundamentalism
320 • Lauren Langman
(^39) http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/fundam.htm
(^40) It should be noted that the French Quarter where these celebrations take place
was relatively unscathed, while Biloxi, a more subdued city, was devastated. Seems
like God’s aim is not too precise.