One who believes in an idea as "fundamental," the absolute, literal truth, adheres to the ORIGINAL version of the idea, is prepared to take action based on that belief, and is unlikely to change their mind.

Often misdefined as "fanatic". A person can be a fanatic and a fundamentalist, or only a fundamentalist, or only a fanatic, or neither.

The action taken by a fundamentalist depends on the nature of their belief. It can be a personal action which affects no one else, or an action which affects tens of thousands of others, or something in between. Can be positive or negative.

Can apply to any religion or ideology, also of a method of or pertaining to fundamentals.
Two of the most common usages:

"islaamic fundamentalist" - generally stereotyped as jihaadist. Not necessarily so.

"christian fundamentalist" - generally stereotyped as bigoted and in-your-face. Again, not necessarily so.

And a correct but uncommon use:
Music teacher: "You need to learn your instrument's fundamentals before you can play solos."
Kid: "Teacher is a fundamentalist."

by I have fundamentals too February 02, 2008
15 more definitions
Top Definition
A person who takes their religion so literally and to such extremes that they contradict the very basis of their faith. They typically believe in a literal, verbatim interpretation of their scripture. They also have ridiculous, childish defenses to intelligent criticism of their beliefs that border on insanity. The level of hypocrisy and stupidity most of these people exhibit is truly profound.

Prime examples of fundamentalists are the geniuses who call themselves Christians and march around with signs that say "GOD HATES FAGS," seriously suggest that the earth is 6,000 years old when an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence proves otherwise, or tell women that they are filthy when they are menstruating (because it's in the Bible, you know).

Fundamentalists in general give religion a bad name. By definiition, it is impossible for any religion or belief structure that is centered on love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness (most of the major religions are) to be anything but great. However, when people watch the news and see these dumbasses parading around with their "THANK GOD FOR AIDS - FAGS GO TO HELL" signs and calling themselves Christians, it tends to leave a bad taste in the mouth.

See also asshat.
Jerry Falwell blamed the 9/11 attacks on the wrath of God, which he claims was incited by gays, lesbians, and pornography. He's a fundamentalist.
by Matrexius March 03, 2005
Person so desperate to be able to say things like "There can be no compromise!" and think things like "I am right and everyone else is wrong!" that they give up all critical thinking, accept literally the parts of a holy book that support their prejudices and take an unquestioning stance on one interpretation of a religion. They won't, of course, admit that it's only an interpretation; it's the ONE AND ONLY TRUTH. They often like to write words like TRUTH in BLOCK CAPITALS. See also Landover Baptist
I love the way fundamentalists claim the Bible is inerrant until you show them a bit they don't like, then start talking like liberals about "context" and "interpretation".
by Adrian Petyt December 16, 2003
An adherent of a religion (especially Protestant Christianity but can also be Catholicism, Mormonism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or other faith), characterized by a rigid orthodoxy, a belief in absolute inerrancy and infallibility of a religion's scripture, founder, or primitive organization, a reactionary stance in social and political matters as well as religious, and usually rejection of modern scholarship and scientific question of relgious myth and doctrine: also fundamentalism.
Fundamentalists dominate newer, smaller and more radical Christian denominations, especially Pentecostal and independent Baptist, but have had limited success in mainline Protestant bodies, except for the Southern Baptist Convention.
by LudwigVan November 10, 2003
One who believes that principles are more important than people, or results.
Osama bin Laden
Tomas Torquemada
Jerry Falwell
Meir Kahane
Ted Unabomber

One can be a fundamentalist in any religious or secular creed.
by Chuck Hastings June 28, 2003
A person, or usually group of assholes who think the term "freedom of speech" means "oppress everyone with your views". Being that, in 99.9% of all cases in which fundamentalists are involved, religion or otherwise, there is not a single shred of solid evidence to support their claim, they usually attempt to use catch-phrases like "pro-life" and are often cited as "politically correct". George Bush is living proof that fundamentalists have corrupted an already religiously oppressive nation by enforcing their opinions over others, without the benifit of popular vote or atleast a response of "Hey, if you don't like it, don't do it, and leave me the fuck alone." Most non-fundamentalists don't give a shit if their dollar bills say "In God we trust", as long as they can buy what they need to and live their own fucking lives, without constantly interfering with others'.
If I don't want to stand for the pledge, I shouldn't have to.
If a woman would rather have an abortion than; have a child she will resent, cannot support, had from rape, endanger her own life, etc... she should be able to.
If a person wants to get a divorce, because their significant other is a fucking dickhead, they should be allowed.
If someone believes that committing certian acts will condemn them to a firey hell, as based on an elaborate book of myth, they should be able to.
If someone commits an act described by a book of myth to be a sin, and they do not believe the fairytales described in said book, they shouldn't have to take shit for it.
by TrippleZero April 30, 2005
n. An insult, someone who tries to inflict their ignorant and often oppressive views on others
Jeez, John. Don't be such a fundamentalist.
by Monte-Cor November 03, 2003
Somebody that lost contact with what their religion, or principles really are, and hurt people with their principles, mentally and physically.
by Christy October 12, 2003

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