Fanatics

Definition

I would define a fanatic as a person with an all-consuming and irrational urge to impose his or her lifestyle upon others.

"Christians"

Sadly, in this day and age, there are still plenty of fanatics. Their numbers sometimes seem to be increasing rather than decreasing.

What is worse, is that most fanatics seem to be right-wing Christians. In America, Jews and Muslims don't seem to be fanatical at all; whenever they favor a strict lifestyle, they apply it to themselves first.

This is embarrassing to me, since I am a Christian. It almost makes me feel ashamed of my religion. I feel like the name of my God is being abused, and His greatness is being demeaned by petty concerns.

That is why, as a matter of principle, I normally never make any allusion to the fact that I am a Christian, and never mention God in any of my conversations. I am even hesitant to talk to my kids about God. It is simply better that way.

"Morals"

Most fanatics seem to be obsessed with the perceived "sins" of others. In particular, the topics of crusades seem to have to do with sex, gay lifestyle choices, abortion, alcohol, drugs, gambling, sometimes dancing, sometimes art, and more recently, definitely smoking.

In my opinion, fanatics do not have the moral high ground they claim they have. A Christian is supposed to read the Bible.

The Bible does not necessarily always forbid the activities above. The Bible is a matter of context.

The Bible, especially the New Testament, is about human values, tolerance, forgiveness and sound judgment. The New Testament is about loving and helping others.

The way I read the Bible, Jesus was not a fanatic. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Jesus was a caring person first.

Roots

At least in my own mind, fanatics are not good Christians. They are a parody of Christians. They are Pharisees.

As a matter of fact, I do not believe that they even are good, happy or secure people. I am growing an increasing suspicion that fanatics are fanatical because of a void in their own lives.

Fanatics may actually abuse religion, as a justification for their own feelings of insecurity or inadequacy, their failure to feel good about their own lifestyle choices.

Sex

Nowhere is this more apparent than when it comes to sex. I can only explain the paranoid urge of some to punish others for sexual peccadilloes, as a deep-rooted feeling of jealousy.

Fanaticism in Politics

This is a worrisome trend.

Fanatics are not superb theorists. They are often fairly uneducated and one-sided in their views.

They do not have the Constitution of the United States of America on their side, since the Constitution calls for a separation between Church and State, and the respect of all lifestyles.

Yet, the influence of fanatics seems to be growing. They seem to find strength in their own numbers.

Unfortunately, some politicians are capitalizing on this trend. Politicians care about votes. And it is hard to turn down votes when they are handed to you on a silver platter.

Sometimes, the politicians who take up fanatic causes, are fanatics themselves. Sometimes, they are simply opportunists. Of course, this raises another ugly issue, one of hypocrisy.

The fanatic vote is a reliable one. Fanatics are a very monolithic group, because they tend to find comfort in the presence of others like themselves, and they are not inclined to dissent. They are increasingly well organized.

The Iranization of America

Some fanatics can be unyielding, hateful, partisan and uncompromising. The fanatic presence in politics is redefining the rules of the game. Fanatics can be a danger to democracy as we have come to know and love it.

Fanaticism is divisive. Religious rifts always tend to split a country apart. I believe that fanaticism is a real threat to American values. I think we need to watch out for an increasing "Iranization" of America.

How Could This Happen?

Fanatics are not a majority of the people. But they act like one.

The root of the problem, in my view, is the apparent political passivity of the "average" American. Many "normal" people (i.e. not fanatics) don't vote. But fanatics do. Always. They have found the strings and the buttons of political power and they use them.

The Solution

There is no other solution than democracy.

Normal people need to make themselves heard. Speak up. Forget political correctness and expose situations they don't agree with. We still have the wonderful constitutional right to free speech and expression.

Normal people need to use their democratic rights to send the message that they want more moderation and more freedom rather than fanaticism. And of course, they need to vote.

Our votes do count. Don't elect fanatics!

Enrico, 12/21/98, 01/05/99, 02/22/01

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