Mark David Hall is back on the podcast to talk about Christian nationalism, only this time, we’re talking about the broader topic of religious nationalism globally. While Christian nationalism has received quite a bit of (inflated) attention in the US, there has been a noticeable trend towards religious nationalism around the world.
It was a trend I picked up on and wrote about in a blog post (see below) ten years ago, but Mark and I discuss this trend now because earlier this year, Pew Research published a study on religious nationalism and how America and Christian nationalism measures up with other countries and their dominant religions.
The Pew study validates a major claim Mark has been writing and speaking on, namely, that the concerns about Christian nationalism in America are indeed overblown. However, the study does much more than by giving us a window into something I only hinted at in my doctoral dissertation research: political culture influences state action.
Religious nationalisms of all stripes and inherently political ideologies that seek to define and shape political culture a particular way, which, proportional to their population size in a country could have large effects on domestic and international politics. This was a groundbreaking and important study by Pew, and well worth taking the time to read and digest.
Digging deeper
Mark’s last visit to the podcast: Episode 53: Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism?
Pew Research, Comparing Levels of Religious Nationalism Around the World
Mark’s book: Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism?
From TTP:
My essays at Providence Magazine that touch on Christian influences in the American political system:
Mine and a couple of colleagues’ response in Christianity Today to the furor over Christian Nationalism: “American Democracy is in Trouble. No Not Like That.”
The last word
This is just me making a general observation of current events as I’m seeing them on the news, but there does seem to be an unreported trend here.
That unreported trend is one of radical religions and resurgent nationalism. While this doesn’t necessarily mean an upswing in violence, it does mean a new ideological challenge to the liberal West. Unlike the Cold War challenge of Russian communism, however, this new ideological challenge is multipolar and multidimensional.
It is as diverse as the geographic regions it represents. This requires a more nuanced diplomatic stance, and a more discerning foreign policy for the secular West.
That’s moi writing in 2015. Called it!
Share this post