The following article will attempt to present characteristics of religious fundamentalism. The task requires addressing terminological and methodological issues, which seem to constitute the weakest link in the overall research of the phenomenon. Even a cursory analysis of the available data points to the fact, that comparative studies are in minority, while an overwhelming majority of all research focuses on particular instances of fundamentalism, most commonly within one speci€c religion. ree preliminary observations can be made. Firstly, usually the case is that of either methodological maximalism or minimalism. The work edited by Martin E. Marty and R. Scott Appleby Fundamentalisms Observed, signi€cant as it was, can serve as a valid example of maximalist approach. The phenomenon discussed therein is viewed in the broad perspective, thus it becomes almost synonymous to traditionalism, nationalism, orthodoxy or communalism.

Sense of self-sufficiency as a barrier for forming the open religious identity in “destitute time”

The pedagogical reflection on methods and condition of creating of an open religious identity of youth was presented by the author in the perspective of the current social situation, rather unfavourable towards activities in the field of religion especially bearing traits of the openness to the Otherness. Such a situation has been defined by the philosopher and poet Friedrich Hölderlin as the “destitute time”. Therefore, the author has made this quote of Friedrich Hölderlin and Rainer Rilke as necessary philosophical context of the reflection. In a search of the complete overview and description of the open religious identity and determinants of the process of its forming, the author focuses on the selected questions such as religious fundamentalism, sense of self-sufficiency in religious dimension, reflectivity and parrhesia which in in an essential way, positive or negative, determine the discussed process.