Fundamentalism, regardless of the tradition in which it is found – and it is found in all traditions – is always dysfunctional. The perceived need to defend ones views from attack only arises when the perceived attacks have at least the appearance of merit. After all, if the claims were absurd on their face nobody would become defensive. Each tradition has the responsibility of distancing itself from its fundamentalist expressions, because those expressions always pervert the essence of the tradition and exist only to inflict injury and pain. There is no legitimate need for or use of such views. They also damage their adherents, as can be clearly seen by the number of fundamentalist trolls leaping at the opportunity to comment negatively on any religious position that offers life and hope. It’s a cancer, and it needs to go.