Religious nationalism

Religious nationalism is the relationship of nationalism to a particular religious belief, church, or affiliation. This relationship can be broken down into two aspects; the politicisation of religion and the converse influence of religion on politics. In the former aspect, a shared religion can be seen to contribute to a sense of national unity, a common bond among the citizens of the nation. Another political aspect of religion is the support of a national identity, similar to a shared ethnicity, language or culture. The influence of religion on politics is more ideological, where current interpretations of religious ideas inspire political activism and action; for example, laws are passed to foster stricter religious adherence. [Juergensmeyer, Mark. "The Worldwide Rise of Religious Nationalism","Journal of International Affairs", Summer 1996, 50, 1.]

Ideologically-driven religious nationalism may not necessarily be targeted against other religions "per se", but can be articulated in response to modernity and in particular, secular nationalism. Indeed, religious nationalism may articulate itself as the binary of secular nationalism. Nation-states whose boundaries and borders are relatively recent, or who have experienced colonialism may be more prone to religious nationalism, which may stand as a more authentic or “traditional” rendering of identity. Thus, there was a global rise of religious nationalism in the wake of the end of the cold war, but also as postcolonial politics (facing considerable developmental challenges, but also dealing with the reality of colonially-defined – and therefore somewhat artificial borders) become challenged. In such a scenario, appealing to a national sense of Islamic identity, as in the case of Pakistan and Indonesia, may serve to override regional tensions.

The danger is that when the state derives political legitimacy from adherence to religious doctrines, this may leave an opening to overtly religious elements, institutions and leaders, to make the appeals to religion more ‘authentic’ by bringing more explicitly theological interpretations to political life. Thus, appeals to religion as a marker of ethnicity creates an opening for more strident, ideological interpretations of religious nationalism.

Many ethnic and cultural nationalisms include religious aspects, but as a marker of group identity, rather than the intrinsic motivation for nationalist claims.

Examples

Turkish

MHP tried to reach out to practicing Muslim. The party promised to end the ban on females wearing the hijab at government institutions (most pertinent at universities and a very contentious issue in Turkish politics), the opening of Qur'an schools and its mandatory teaching and a number of other measures that would appeal to Muslims.

Irish

Irish nationalism is largely associated with Roman Catholicism, and most Irish nationalist leaders of the last 100 years were Catholic, although many of the early (18th century) nationalists were Protestant. Irish nationalism does not itself derive from Roman Catholic theological doctrines, although some Protestants in Northern Ireland do fear that these doctrines would be forced on them in a united Ireland.

Pakistani

Pakistani Nationalism, is very closely associated with Muslim heritage and the Islamic religion. Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world that were founded for a religious community (Muslims). Most Pakistanis have a sense of Muslim brotherhood with other Muslims.

Russian

Religious nationalism characterized by communal adherence to Eastern Orthodoxy and national Orthodox Churches is still prevalent in many states of Eastern Europe and in the Russian Federation.

Israeli

Religious Zionism is a form of religious nationalism that stresses the importance of the Land of Israel, the Torah of Israel, and the Nation of Israel

Indian

Given the extensive linguistic, religious and ethnic diversity of the Indian population, [ [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/India.pdf India, a Country Study] ,"United States Library of Congress, Note on Ethnic groups"] nationalism in India in general does not fall within the purview of a solitary variant of nationalism. Indians may identify with their nation on account of civic, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6943598.stm] ,"BBC Article, India's model democracy"] cultural or third-world nationalism. Some commentators have expressed the idea that, in modern India, a contemporary form of Hindu nationalism, or Hindutva has been endorsed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, although it is not subscribed to by the majority of Indians.cite book | last = van der Veer | first = Peter | title = Religious nationalism: Hindus and Muslims in India | publisher = University of California Press | date = 1994 | location = Berkeley, CA | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = ]

Christian

The Belief that Christianity is superior to all other religions and the only path to salvation and holiness. Christian Nationalists advocate the recapture of Jerusalem, and the reconquest of the Holy Lands.

References

ee also

*Theocracy
*Sectarianism