--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fundamentalist seeks to bring down a…" description: "\"“The fundamentalist seeks to bring down a great deal more than buildings. Such people are against, to offer just a brief list, freedom of speech, a mul..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/salman-rushdie-153_civil-society_the-fundamentalist-seeks-to-bring-down-a_2075686.jpg" --- # The fundamentalist seeks to bring down a great deal more… ![“The fundamentalist seeks to bring down a great deal more than buildings. Such people are against, to offer just a brief list, freedom of speech, a multi-party political system, universal adult suffrage, accountable government, Jews, homosexuals, women's rights, pluralism, secularism, short skirts…” quote by Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/salman-rushdie-153_civil-society_the-fundamentalist-seeks-to-bring-down-a_2075686.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/salman-rushdie-153_civil-society_the-fundamentalist-seeks-to-bring-down-a_2075686.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/salman-rushdie-153_civil-society_the-fundamentalist-seeks-to-bring-down-a_2075686.jpg) > ““The fundamentalist seeks to bring down a great deal more than buildings. Such people are against, to offer just a brief list, freedom of speech, a multi-party political system, universal adult suffrage, accountable government, Jews, homosexuals, women's rights, pluralism, secularism, short skirts, dancing, beardlessness, evolution theory, sex. There are tyrants, not Muslims. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that we should now define ourselves not only by what we are for but by what we are against. I would reverse that proposition, because in the present instance what we are against is a no brainer. Suicidist assassins ram wide-bodied aircraft into the World Trade Center and Pentagon and kill thousands of people: um, I'm against that. But what are we for? What will we risk our lives to defend? Can we unanimously concur that all the items in the preceding list -- yes, even the short skirts and the dancing -- are worth dying for? The fundamentalist believes that we believe in nothing. In his world-view, he has his absolute certainties, while we are sunk in sybaritic indulgences. To prove him wrong, we must first know that he is wrong. We must agree on what matters: kissing in public places, bacon sandwiches, disagreement, cutting-edge fashion, literature, generosity, water, a more equitable distribution of the world's resources, movies, music, freedom of thought, beauty, love. These will be our weapons. Not by making war but by the unafraid way we choose to live shall we defeat them. How to defeat terrorism? Don't be terrorized. Don't let fear rule your life. Even if you are scared.”” [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fundamentalism attacks many freedoms; we must define what we cherish and live boldly against terror. **In simple terms:** Fundamentalism threatens freedoms; define and live your values. Key Takeaway Identify core values and live them courageously. Themes freedom terrorism values courage Mood defiant reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - political activism - daily life - public discourse Key Concepts fundamentalism secularism human rights Questions to Reflect On - What values will you defend? - How can everyday actions counter fear? A Different Perspective Terrorism remains a violent threat despite values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-society/) [Dying Fundamentalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dying-fundamentalist-4028729/) [Fanaticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fanaticism/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Freedom of thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-thought/) [Fundamentalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentalism/) [Fundamentalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentalist/) [Fundamentalist Believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentalist-believes-1656771/) [Fundamentalist Seeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentalist-seeks-4028728/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [Political system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-system/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Secularism Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secularism-short-4028730/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [Women'S Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-s-rights-2/) [World trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-trade/) [World trade center](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-trade-center/) ## Related quotes > [Unless one is a religious fundamentalist and believes that man was created in the image and likeness of God, it is foolish to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-philippe-rushton/unless-one-is-a-religious-fundamentalist-and-believes-that-man-was/) [J. 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Such people are against, to offer just a brief list, freedom of speech, a multi-party political system, universal adult suffrage, accountable government, Jews, homosexuals, women's rights, pluralism, secularism, short skirts, dancing, beardlessness, evolution theory, sex. There are tyrants, not Muslims. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that we should now define ourselves not only by what we are for but by what we are against. I would reverse that proposition, because in the present instance what we are against is a no brainer. Suicidist assassins ram wide-bodied aircraft into the World Trade Center and Pentagon and kill thousands of people: um, I'm against that. But what are we for? What will we risk our lives to defend? Can we unanimously concur that all the items in the preceding list -- yes, even the short skirts and the dancing -- are worth dying for? The fundamentalist believes that we believe in nothing. In his world-view, he has his absolute certainties, while we are sunk in sybaritic indulgences. To prove him wrong, we must first know that he is wrong. We must agree on what matters: kissing in public places, bacon sandwiches, disagreement, cutting-edge fashion, literature, generosity, water, a more equitable distribution of the world's resources, movies, music, freedom of thought, beauty, love. These will be our weapons. Not by making war but by the unafraid way we choose to live shall we defeat them. How to defeat terrorism? Don't be terrorized. Don't let fear rule your life. 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