I heard this word today and so I decided to seek clarification for all about this word. So I will start with the definition and go from there.
Extremist – 1. a person who goes to extremes, especially in political matters.
2. a supporter or advocate of extreme doctrines or practices.
Extremism – belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable
Extreme – : very great in degree
: very serious or severe
: very far from agreeing with the opinions of most people : not moderate
The key in these definitions is the words “most” and “moderate.”
As I look over these definitions what I see as important to realize is what if someone that is not amongst most that are moderate and sees someone of an opposing view point. To them since they themselves are not moderate would see someone on the other side as extreme.
But what is moderate?
That is the big question these days. I can actually see both sides of this issue and I understand why there is confusion. Here is the dilemma.
As of 2014 per http://www.gallup.com/poll/180452/liberals-record-trail-conservatives.aspx moderates form 38 % of the population, 34 % are conservative, and 24 percent are liberal. This has been changing due to actions by those in power and in the education of our college students since the 1960s.
Still only 24% of the population is liberal but many of these are in important parts of the government, business, and especially education. These in reality would be those that should be call “extremist.” Why? Because of the founding principles of this nation:
1) Rights come from God, not government
2) All political power emanate from the people
3) A limited representative republic
4) A written constitution
5) Protection of private property
These are conservative, but are the foundation of this nation. This is why those that are liberal could be considered extremist, because for one they do not fall into the boundaries of the majority that being the moderate and conservative combined. Then for the other reason have no desire to attempt to conform to what is moderate and wish to discount God, remove the political power from the people, have the government control all; remove the constitution (since is it is antiquated) and wish none to own anything but have it all owned by everyone (everyone being those like themselves since they know what is best for all). But should we call them that? No we should not. In fact I feel no one should be called extremist within the borders of the United States at this time.
A true example of extremism is those that flock to ISIS, in which it is their belief that only they are perfect and all others are inferior. That women are not equals. That homosexuals should be killed. That slavery is the natural order for those that are inferior to them for they are not human. That behead those that do not agree with them.
That is a true example of extremism.
But back to the U.S. So when I hear someone use the term extremist it tells me that someone is not looking correctly at this nation and it works and need to awaken to that fact that they actually have it good here.
Simply the moment someone says that someone is an “extremist” they need to be called out and told that is a word you should not throw about so loosely. It is a word that shows the user is prejudice and needs to be educated in the hate they are causing and spreading.