fundamentalism was used at first to describe some people in the protestant community in the united states in the early 20th century. these people had a set of well-defined ("fundamental") values. these values were in opposition to more modern ideas. the group also said it was important to stick to what faith (and a more literal translation of the bible) told them. when people look at religion this way they see the ideas in the religion as "absolute". this means that it is not possible for them to change. when religion is seen as absolute it becomes fundamentalism.