How are fanatics made?

[YmirGF]

A fanatic is one who has taken a given thing to an extreme that will affect their relationships with others. A fanatic will be well known as such to their friends and family due to their "over the top" fixation. One can be fanatical about many things. Heath, sex, religion are but three areas. I wouldn't be inclined to say that it is about indoctrinations, but rather, how seriously the individual takes to the object of their fixation. So, for me, at least, a fanatic is one of a particularly aggressive mindset - a single-minded mindset that really over does it in a given area.

[Revoltingest]

Originally Posted by Madhuri

Hmm, a product of?
Or rather that fanaticism is perceived subjectively? (Like practically everything)

I'd say that some characteristics about fanaticism are somewhat objective.
The loss of perspective or of normal values is a symptom.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Revoltingest

I'd say that some characteristics about fanaticism are somewhat objective.
The loss of perspective or of normal values is a symptom.

Indeed, by definition, the fanatic will differentiate themselves from the pack by their exaggerated actions. It is their actions that will draw the attention of the pack, as it were.

[sandandfoam]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Indeed, by definition, the fanatic will differentiate themselves from the pack by their exaggerated actions. It is their actions that will draw the attention of the pack, as it were.

What about the likes of Orangemen who organise large parades?
I'd regard Orangemen as a group of fanatics

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by stephenw

What about the likes of Orangemen who organise large parades?
I'd regard Orangemen as a group of fanatics

Never heard of them, Stephen. Are they like the Blue man group?

[Kilgore Trout]

Being a fanatic requires an extreme propensity to allow one's self-identity to be dictated to them by something outside themselves.

[Revoltingest]

Originally Posted by atotalstranger

Being a fanatic requires an extreme propensity to allow one's self-identity to be dictated to them by something outside themselves.

What about more self-actualized fanatics like Hitler? He was the one doing the dictating.

(Don't worry. I won't use "self-actualized" more than once every 10 years.)

[sandandfoam]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Never heard of them, Stephen. Are they like the Blue man group?

They're a lovely shower of bigots out wearing down their shoes today
BBC News - Orangemen take part in Twelfth of July parades

Orange Institution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by stephenw

They're a lovely shower of bigots out wearing down their shoes today
BBC News - Orangemen take part in Twelfth of July parades

Orange Institution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The marches commemorate Prince William of Orange's 1690 Battle of the Boyne victory over Catholic King James II.

Yeah, I would say that that qualifies as being at least mildly fanatical.

[ChristineES]

Originally Posted by stephenw

What differentiates fanaticism from enthusiasm?

Enthusiasm is getting excited, like a kid at an amusement park. At church, they wave their arms, sing loudly and really get into it. A fanatic is the one who gets into others faces, tells them they are going to hell. They are also the ones who hold up signs and can be homeless. In other words, there is a chance that the fanatic could be mentally ill.