football fanaticism

THE MANY FACES OF FANATICISM
Kalmer Marimaa
Ph.D. Student in Social Science,
Lecturer in Religious Studies and Sociology at the Tartu
Theological Seminary, Estonia, [e-mail]

ABSTRACT. The article presents fanaticism as a universal phenomenon that can manifest itself in almost every sphere of human activity. Although many expressions of fanaticism are negative and destructive, some can be almost neutral or even positive. The article describes the characteristics of the fanatic and explains some factors that predispose people towards fanatical behavior.
It also highlights some differences between fundamentalism and fanaticism which can sometimes seem quite similar. Describing fanaticism in its multifaceted nature, the article aims to show the reader that fanaticism is a much wider phenomenon than sometimes thought.
Key words: fanaticism, fanatic, fanatical behaviour, fandom, fundamentalism, ideology, propaganda, mass movements.

On April 14th 2010 the lead singer and bassist of gothic metal band Type 0
Negative, Peter Steele (birth name Petrus T. Ratajczyk), unexpectedly died.
Being only 48 years old, his death came as a shock to many of his devoted fans.
Three days later a video was published on Youtube.com which claimed to be the last interview with Steele but it turned out to be an imposter making fun of the deceased musician.1 As Steele was known for his self-deprecating sense of humour, the video would probably not have caused any kind of outrage if it had come out during his lifetime. Now, though, it was a case of defaming an idol. The video was met with a barrage of negative comments which, along with some death threats to the author, included among other violent wishes the following comments (original quotes): ““May you lose a dear friend to an agonizing death””, ““PLEASE HANG YOURSELF and post –– tonight””, ““I look forward to hearing about your horrible accident when Karma comes knocking,”” etc. At the same time, there

References: Bourdieu, P. Televisioonist. –– Loomingu Raamatukogu, No. 30, 1999. Bryan, D. Fanatics, Mobs and Terrorists: The Dynamics of Orange Parades in Northern Ireland. –– Fanaticism and Conflict in the Modern Age. M. Hughes, G. Johnson (eds.). London & New York: Frank Cass, 2005, pp. 144––155. Calhoun, L. An Anatomy of Fanaticism. –– Peace Review, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2004, pp. Cameron, C. M. Fanaticism and the Barbarisation of the Pacific War, 1941––45. –– Fanaticism and Conflict in the Modern Age Colas, D. Civil Society and Fanaticism: Conjoined Histories. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1997. Security International, 2007. , (accessed March 26, 2011). Hart, S. Indoctrinated Nazi Teenaged Warriors: The Fanaticism of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend in Normandy, 1944 Hill, F. Such Men are Dangerous: The Fanatics of 1692 and 2004. Hinesburg, VT: Upper Access, Inc., 2004. Hoffer, E. The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2010. Hughes, M; Johnson, G. Fanaticism and Conflict in the Modern Age. London & New York: Frank Cass, 2005. Juergensmeyer, M. Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence. 3rd ed., revised and updated. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 2003. Seminar ja Tartu Ülikooli usuteaduskond, 2009, lk 115––143. Klassen, M. L. Bad Religion: The Psychology of Religious Misbehavior. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2007. Kleis, R; Torpats, Ü; Gross, L; Freymann, H. Ladina––eesti sõnaraamat. Tallinn: Valgus, 2002. Lehtsaar, T. Usulisest fundamentalismist religioonipsühholoogi pilguga. –– Usuteaduslik Ajakiri, No. 59, 2009, lk 19––31. Lehtsaar, T. Äärmusliku usugrupi psühholoogia. Tartu: Tõnu Lehtsaar kirjastus, 1997. Merridale, C. Ivani sõda. Punaarmee aastatel 1939––1945. Tallinn: Tänapäev, 2007. 37––40, 2009. Perrin, J-M; Thibon, G. Simone Weil as We Knew Her. New York: Routledge, 2003. Piibel. Vana ja Uus Testament. Tallinn: Eesti Piibliselts, 1997. Selengut, C. Sacred Fury: Understanding Religious Violence. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2003. Socrates Scholasticus. NPNF2-02. Socrates and Sozomenus Ecclesiastical Histories. Christian Classic Ethereal Library. , (accessed April 22, 2011). Tomlin, E. W. F. Simone Weil. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1954. Trefalt, B. Fanaticism, Japanese Soldiers and the Pacific War, 1937––45. –– Fanaticism and Conflict in the Modern Age York: Frank Cass, 2005, pp. 33––47. Webster’’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language. New York: Gramercy Books, 1996.