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Fundamentalism conjures up in the popular imagination images of violence, intolerance, literal readings of ancient scriptures, and anachronistic ideas of gender and sexual ethics. "Understanding Fundamentalism" seeks to provide a fuller, more accurate picture of these religious reactions against the modern secular world. Comparing Christian, Islamic and Jewish fundamentalist movements, anthropologist Richard Antoun shows how all three share common characteristics. In each tradition, fundamentalists seek purity in an impure world, attempt to make the ancient past relevant to their contemporary situation, look to move religion out of the worship centre and into every aspect of life, and they actively struggle against the aspects of the modern world they regard as evil. This is a balanced introduction to often misunderstood religious activists.