Extremist or Fundamentalist?

[nimrod]

Hello everyone, I have a question about how the news media describes militant Muslims. At times I see them described as "extremist" and other times as "fundamentalist".

Are either of these terms correctly used? If so what would be a good discription of any differences?

Thanks
Nimrod

[Muslim Knight]

Extremist refer to those who would use extreme means to achieve an end, like suicide bombing for example. Fundamentalist refer to those who go back to the root, fundamental teachings of belief/religion, without the hassle of innovations.

I find it somewhat disturbing that Western medias have opted to use extremist and fundamentalist interchangebly.

[renak]

Extremist refer to those who would use extreme means to achieve an end, like suicide bombing for example. Fundamentalist refer to those who go back to the root, fundamental teachings of belief/religion, without the hassle of innovations.

I find it somewhat disturbing that Western medias have opted to use extremist and fundamentalist interchangebly.

I had never thought about the usage of extremist and fundamentalist. You are correct, the media does use them interchangably. However, they don't use the terms interchangably when referring to Christianity. hmmmm

[Muslim Knight]

In my opinion I would see Salafis and Ahlil Sunnah wal Jamaah could be called as fundamentalists, but of course this does not necessarily mean they are extremists because the fundamental teachings of Islam urge Muslims and People of the Book not to go into the extremes of their religions.

Extremists should be those who try to achieve their ends using extreme measures; economic manipulations resulting in misery of others, going to war with reasons under cover, killing without justification etc. In this case extremists should not be identified with their religion.

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[renak]

In my opinion I would see Salafis and Ahlil Sunnah wal Jamaah could be called as fundamentalists, but of course this does not necessarily mean they are extremists because the fundamental teachings of Islam urge Muslims and People of the Book not to go into the extremes of their religions.

Extremists should be those who try to achieve their ends using extreme measures; economic manipulations resulting in misery of others, going to war with reasons under cover, killing without justification etc. In this case extremists should not be identified with their religion.

True when one reaches the category of extremist, they more than likely have abandoned the core beliefs of their religion.