The philosopher George Santayana from Spain, defined fanaticism as “redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim”. This means that the person has misplaced his devotion and no one can persuade him that it is wrong. Another philosopher Tõnu Lehtsaar from Estonia has defined the term fanaticism as “the pursuit or defense of something in an extreme and passionate way that goes beyond normality.” In these days with the football World Cup playing in Qatar, we will see many who are fanatics for football. You can ask them any question about their team and they will know the answer. They have an extreme passion for the game. Sometimes these passions go to the extremes, like in Belgium this past week, the Moroccan fans celebrated their win by rioting in the streets causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. The police said that dozens of people, including some wearing hoodies, openly sought confrontation with them, which compromised public safety. At least 10 people were arrested, while Police had to use tear gas and water cannons to break up the violence. At least one vehicle was set on fire. A group of young Morocco supporters smashed up a car and rental scooters. Riot police had to be deployed to a Christmas market in the downtown area of the Belgian capital, and police ordered the shutdown of some public transport lines. Fires were set and rocks were thrown at vehicles, street furniture was destroyed and projectiles were thrown at the police, according to reports. This is an extreme reaction to winning a game. People can allow their passions for sport or any interest to overwhelm them so that the passion takes over.
Several things can characterize fanaticism. One is a sense of devotion with minimal critical analysis or thinking, often paired with intolerance for people who challenge or question the topic of interest. This can differentiate fanatics from more casual fans and people who share the interest; a fanatic will hotly resist anything that might besmirch the reputation of their interests. Fanatics can also be very single minded and intense, and it can be difficult to redirect their attentions onto other topics. In some individuals, fanaticism can become unhealthy. People devoted to a single topic may not have that balanced interests and social lives. Therefore they can have trouble interacting with other people, finding work, and successfully navigating social situations. When a fanatic is consumed with a particular topic, that person may forget other activities and responsibilities and can spend time, as well as money, chasing down any and all related information. A fanatic might, for example, make a point of attending every single concert put on by a favorite pop artist.
In general a fanatic is someone who has lost his control on reality, instead everything revolves around that passion or interest. So much so that the passion controls them rather than they control the passion. In many ways they are addicted to it. In the Bible we read about a Roman governor called Felix. He was a man driven by his passions and extremes. One day the apostle Paul stood before him and he spoke to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul taught him that he needed a life of temperance or control, the opposite to fanaticism . The book of Acts chapter 24 verse 25 says “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Felix realized that his life was not right before the living God, although at the same time he realized he didn’t want to change it. The wisest man in the Bible said in the book of Proverbs chapter 16 verse 32 ‘He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.’ What is your life like today? Are you in control of your life or are you letting your interests and passions control you? P. Pilgrim pilgrimway101@yahoo.com
