When future historians examine the turn of the 21st century, one theme will stand out: religious fundamentalism.

What causes it, why does it attract a growing number of followers in all the world's major religions, and how can societies deal with its violent forms - other than by trying to quash it with more violence?

This four part series investigates what fundamentalism is, why it has sprung up in the last few decades in most major world religions, how fundamentalists think, and how individuals and societies can understand it better and deal with it more successfully.

The series also looks at what fundamentalist groups and thought patterns in Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism have in common.


Part One: What is fundamentalism?

The programme traces the origins of the concept back to early 20th century Christianity in America. It asks whether and where it's found nowadays in this original meaning and why it has since developed across most of the world faiths.

It also examines whether in its original meaning, fundamentalism is always bad news, and when and why it became a pejorative term.

It looks at boundaries between fundamentalism and mere religious conservatism or the rejection of Western values, as exemplified in Muslim women in countries like Egypt who choose to wear the headscarf.


Part Two: The mind of a fundamentalist

Religious fundamentalists are often viewed as fanatical, dangerously violent, or even mentally disturbed - but what are they really like?

Martin Stott meets fundamentalists face to face from small-town Virginia to Jerusalem and from Cairo to Delhi, to find out first hand what goes on inside their minds - and whether there is anything mainstream society can learn from them.

Part Three: Islamic fundamentalism

In all major world religions there are fundamentalists who use their beliefs to justify murderous atrocities. But why is it that Muslim fundamentalists are so much more visible, and their impact so much greater, than anyone else's?

But are all Islamic fundamentalists striving for the same things? What distinguishes the fathers of the Iranian revolution from the Taleban? Hamas from Al-Qaeda or the Wahabi school?

What drives young Muslims in Jakarta or Cairo into the arms of a man like Osama Bin Laden? And how has the rest of the world failed them?

To what extent is the fundamentalist quest a true religious one and to what extent does it mask deeper political, economic, or ethnic grievances?


Part Four: A positive challenge?


How can individual believers, societies, and governments deal with the challenges of fundamentalism more successfully?

What mistakes have they made in the past? Are they repeating those mistakes?

Are there more constructive approaches that the vilification and marginalization of those seen as fundamentalist? How can the international community deal with what's perceived as the international fundamentalist threat in the longer term?

And finally, is fundamentalism here to stay - that is, are the conditions, which breed it till in existence? What is its future and is it a threat?

Fundamentalism and Faith was first broadcast on BBC World Service in March 2002