P. Kalaitzidis - N. Ntontos (eds.), Islam and Fundamentalism, Orthodoxy and Globalization, Academy of Theological Studies of the Holy Metropolis of Demetrias, Indictos Publ. Athens, 2004, 132 pages.

           The introductory text in this collective volume by editor Pantelis Kalaitzidis examines the phenomenon of religious fundamentalism in the context of globalization. Furthermore, he recognises fundamentalism as a child of modernity, to which fundamentalism is radically opposed. He thoroughly analyses the deficient adoption of modernity, except by Islam, by the Orthodox Church, as well, considering the eschatological conscience of the Church as a criterion for theologically dealing with such matters.

The Metropolitan of Demetrias Ignatios in his text, commenting on the evangelical parables of the Good Samaritan and the Final Judgement, proves fundamentalism to be incompatible with the philanthropic, ecumenical and open to the world Orthodoxy. He supports dialogue against violence in the relations with religions, particularly with Islam. Andreas Andrianopoulos focuses his approach on modern Islam, its anthropogeography, its schisms and divisions, as well as the sources and reasons for the religious fanaticism and fundamentalism within Islam.

Marios Begzos analyses the phenomenon of fundamentalism and finds the solution for overcoming violence, in the long run, in justice in the international relations and the balanced development. Tarek Mitri’s text deals mainly with the inter-religious dialogue, particularly the one between Christians and Muslims. He addresses these issues in the differentiated from the traditional, modern globalized environment.

Giorgos Karabelias seeks critical resistance against the liberal and homogenizing globalization, with special reference to the position of Hellenism in the globalized environment, while Nikos Mouzelis points to the fact that besides the financial globalization, the cosmopolitan values are also flourishing, as do human rights, social solidarity and the respect to cultural otherness. According to Mouzelis, the Orthodox Church ought to rid itself of nationalist limitations and project its ecumenical dimension.

In the last text, Dimitris Bekridakis examines the re-appearance of religion in the conditions of globalization, the propagation of the trend of the new religious conscience and the fundamentalist withdrawal, stressing that right now the Church ought to emphasise the ecumenicity of the truth and love of Christ and its eschatological account.