We are all fundamentalists whether we acknowledge it or not. We were born into a world of myth and metaphor and have come to internalize the stories we were told as children as the literal interpretations of much greater and deeply symbolic lessons. When we fall into such patterns, according to author and psychotherapist Stephen Larsen, we lose all flexibility and freedom of thought. We become split by dualistic thinking—bad versus good; black versus white—and are weighted down by definitive, concretistic principles and behaviors that alienate us from one another. Dr. Larsen explains that we can avoid such pitfalls by identifying our “inner fundamentalist” and becoming more open-minded individuals.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish I may, I wish I might,
By
This review is from: The Fundamentalist Mind: How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All (Paperback)
I grew up as a fundamentalist Christian. I wish I could still be one, but the nagging discomfort I felt as a young man blossomed into a full-blown rebellion at the intellectual and spiritual bondage I felt. Dr. Stephen Larsen's book has been a formidable resource in assisting me as I still struggle to articulate my own thoughts and ideas about my spiritual life. I found the book compelling, that is, if I picked it up I almost couldn't put it down. His experience with Joseph Campbell has given him a perspective that resonated with me from the very first page. In particular I found Dr. Larsen's discussion of "fragmented gods" illuminating and satisfying. If I were teaching a university course that dealt with Christian fundamentalism, I would certainly make his book required reading, and I might even adopt it as a text.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting treatise on extremes,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Fundamentalist Mind: How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All (Paperback)
You're either democrat or republican. Pro-Choice or Pro-Life. There is no in between. "The Fundamentalist Mind: How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All" take a look at the belief in extremes in American society and discussing the problems such opinions create in modern society. Fundamentalism is the target, and Larsen attacks it in its many forms, ranging from religion, to political fundamentalists, and even scientists are not innocent from this thinking. Suggesting a middle path and to open one's mind, "The Fundamentalist Mind" is an interesting treatise on extremes.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Fundamentalist Mind,
By Ruth E (Rancho Mirage CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Fundamentalist Mind: How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All (Paperback)
This highly readable book presents to those skeptics among us who love our religions a priceless understanding of our beliefs, ourselves and others. Stephen Larsen writes with great respect for faith,and appreciation for the divine. He clarifies for the reader those aspects of faith which bring on the horrors we have seen today and in the past. And he does this with the knowledge of a neuro-biologist, psychologist, mythologist, and is a really good writer.
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The world is currently facing an array of crises unlike any before in human history pertaining to the use of natural resources, distribution of wealth, health concerns, and just how the members of the human family might get along together on planet Earth. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
phantom rulers, scientific fundamentalism, fundamentalist thinking Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Joseph Campbell, Old Testament, New Age, End Times, New York, United States, Carl Jung, Mount Carmel, Native American, Star Wars, Holy Land, Thousand Faces, Len Ochs, Second Coming, Seven Seals, Branch Davidians, Shi'a Islam, Book of Revelation, Billy Graham, David Koresh, Jesus Christ, Ahura Mazda, Plymouth Brethren, Seventh Day Adventist, The Book of Mormon Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The world is currently facing an array of crises unlike any before in human history pertaining to the use of natural resources, distribution of wealth, health concerns, and just how the members of the human family might get along together on planet Earth. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
phantom rulers, scientific fundamentalism, fundamentalist thinking Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Joseph Campbell, Old Testament, New Age, End Times, New York, United States, Carl Jung, Mount Carmel, Native American, Star Wars, Holy Land, Thousand Faces, Len Ochs, Second Coming, Seven Seals, Branch Davidians, Shi'a Islam, Book of Revelation, Billy Graham, David Koresh, Jesus Christ, Ahura Mazda, Plymouth Brethren, Seventh Day Adventist, The Book of Mormon Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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