The definition of a "fundamentalist"

Frankly, this is the best one I've ever seen. It works on so many levels ...

There has been hope that God actually wrote a book - a "user's manual" for mankind. That is the belief which identifies a "Fundamentalist". Fundamentalism is a mind-set, independent of any particular religion. Indeed that mind-set exists in all major religions - only the book differs. It is usually the holy book found in ones own region of the world. In some religions it is the Bible; in others the Koran or... But God did not write a book - in any language in any civilization. No instruction manual has been handed down from heaven. If he had written one it would have been error free. The bible is NOT. We are still going to have to exercise judgment and think for ourselves. Let us realize that the bible represents the contribution of a variety of authors - each interested in having us lead a Godly life. The stories they weave represent their own viewpoints, testimonies, and observations.

Specifically, look at this portion:

There has been hope that God actually wrote a book - a "user's manual" for mankind. That is the belief which identifies a "Fundamentalist". Fundamentalism is a mind-set, independent of any particular religion. Indeed that mind-set exists in all major religions - only the book differs.

Explains it rather well, doesn't it?

It also explains why they're always at one another's throats. "My version of the manual is right! Yours sucks!" Why they see everyone else as being either with them or against them. "You either believe my version of the manual, or you don't. If you don't, then you must have your own version! Which sucks!" Why they cling so tightly to their beliefs instead of actual facts.

If anyone else has heard or seen a better definition, I'd love to see it.