na 2015.ppt

8. United States and Canada

North America

Stopover in Nigeria• It is divided between a Muslim North and a

Christian South. [[File:Religius and Ethnic map of Nigeria.png|thumb|Religius and Ethnic map of Nigeria]]

Stopover in Nigeria• Nigeria is an example of what Huntington

terms ‘A Torn State’• Some norther states use Shariah law– Including harsh sentences

Stopover in Nigeria• Occasionally violent attacks by Muslims or

Christians on the other group have occurred.• While more peaceful Muslim and Christian

leaders have worked together for harmony.

Stopover in Nigeria: Boko Haram• 2002 A group of Wahhabi style Nigerian

Muslims founded Boko Haram to oppose Western and non-Wahhabi things.

• The movement uses violent means to advance its cause:– Kidnappings, killings, rape and torture.

Stopover in Nigeria: Boko Haram• The term ‘Boko Haram’ refers to a militant

Islamic movement spread over Nigeria and nearby states (Chad, Niger, Cameroon).

• ‘Boko’ is a Hausa word meaning ‘fake’ or ‘false’. It has been used in Hausa to refer to the curriculum taught in Western style schools, in contrast with traditional Islamic schooling.

• ‘Haram’ is Arabic for ‘forbidden’• Boko Haram likely originated as a way of

rejecting Western style education.

Stopover in Nigeria: Boko Haram• Pre 2015 Boko Haram was somewhat affiliated

with al-Qaeda• In 2015 Boko Haram declared that it had joined

the Islamic State group.• This supports the IS’ goal of expanding into Africa.

https://ca.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=iry&hsimp=yhs-fullyhosted_003&type=plk_coinisrs_15_37_ag1948&param1=1&param2=cd%3D2XzuyEtN2Y1L1Qzu0CtDtCzzzzyD0A0Ezz0EzytB0DtC0EtCtN0D0Tzu0StCtAyEzytN1L2XzutAtFtCtBtFyDtFtDtN1L1Czu1BtAtN1L1G1B1V1N2Y1L1Qzu2StCtD0CyB0CyByBzytG0BtByCzztGyE0CyC0DtG0BzyyB0EtGtC0A0CtA0EyDyCtA0FtD0AtB2QtN1M1F1B2Z1V1N2Y1L1Qzu2S0DtDyByDtDtC0D0DtG0Fzzzz0BtGyEtDtC0FtG0BzztDzztG0F0B0ByByEzz0EyB0DyCtByC2QtN0A0LzutB%26cr%3D1339054909%26a%3Dplk_coinisrs_15_37%26uref%3Dchmm%26f%3D4%26cat%3Dweb%26sid%3D8ff0e465edab26f79c9536c940091e4f%26sesid%3Dc6b1edfd100c5a429e7332c3a038eadb%26abid%3D139%26abg%3D1948%26ip%3D209.171.88.233%26b%3Dchmm%26bv%3D46.0.2472.0%26os%3DWindows%2B7%26pa%3Dpalikan&p=map+of+Islamic+State+expansion

Stopover in Nigeria: Boko Haram• 2015 Going into the 2015 national elections– The Nigerian army couldn’t control much of its

territory or stop the kidnappings– President Goodluck Jonathan had often denied

that there was a serious threat from Boko H.• Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 elections

and was replaced by a new government pledged to control Boko Haram.

Stopover in Nigeria: Boko Haram• The African Union has set up a 4 state military

operation called the West African Task Force– To fight back against Boko Haram– By forming a united force, the 4 governments

hope to keep Boko Haram militants from escaping by crossing borders.

North America –end of our trip• We arrive at Dulles International in

Washington, D.C.• Our topics will include:– Separation of Church and State– The Triple Melting Pot– Rise and current nature of fundamentalism– Social GospelIssue 1: Politicized TopicsIssue 2: Christian Right in PoliticsIssue 3: Islam in North America

Separation of Church and State

• USA Constitution first amendment says• “Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . “

• Strict meaning: The FEDERAL Congress should not ‘establish’ any religion (as a State Religion)– As England and Scotland had done


– That is, the USA was founded along the Enlightenment model of a secular state.

– This makes the USA a secular state at the federal level. Nothing was set about the States level.

– In 1801 Baptist Association of Danbury Conn wrote to Pres. Jefferson asking for clarification. • They were worried about the special status afforded

the Congregational Church in Connecticut• Jefferson replied that the principle applied to all


– Gradually, all the states did come to embrace the new model, which came to be called the

– Separation of Church and State– With a positive and a negative dimension• 1. tax exempt status for all religions• 2. no taxpayer support for any religion

• NOTE: In those days, the dispute was among Protestant denominations, not among religions in our sense.


– Amendment 14, passed after the Civil War,• Further clarified that states couldn’t impose

restrictions based on race or religion.


– Separation of Church and State has – a positive and negative dimension re taxes• 1. tax exempt status for all religions• 2. no taxpayer support for any religion

• NOTE: In those days, the dispute was among Protestant denominations, not among religions in our sense.

Triple Melting Pot

– Sociologist Will Herberg wrote a book entitled– Protestant, Catholic, Jew– Protestant: He argues that at first American-ness and

being Protestant (or nothing) went together.– Catholic: Later, after more Catholic arrivals, Americans

were seen as either Protestant or Catholic.– Jew: Still later, Jews became accepted.Note: To have one’s religious identity seen as part of the

national norm, there needs to be a lot of followers in that religion.

Triple Melting Pot

Herberg calls this by two terms‘Triple Melting Pot’ Or ‘Tri-partite Faith’Both these terms emphasize his contention that the

operative ‘faith’ of Americans is one.-A set of common values system that he calls “The American Way of Life”- The point is, there isn’t a lot of difference in

lifestyle or values among these three religions in the USA. (they ‘poll the same’ on many issues)

Fundamentalism In the USA

• Arose as a backlash against liberalism, with its– Acceptance of science even where it conflicted

with the Bible • Questioning the Biblical miracles, • Questioning creation account in Genesis• Questioning the idea the earth was only a few

thousand years old.

– Application of literary criticism approaches to interpreting the Bible


The opening of a liberal leaning theological school in Chicago was also a factor• Chicago Divinity School (part of the U of Chicago)


• A series of conferences of conservative Protestant leaders, combined with a series of booklets on ‘The Fundamentals of the Faith’,

• led to a movement that the press called “Fundamentalism”

• Note, most ‘fundamentalist’ Christians call themselves ‘Evangelicals’ or just ‘Conservatives,’ or ‘Bible based’


• Characteristics of Christian Fundamentalists from an ‘insider’ point of view– Literalist interpretation of the Bible• ‘inerrancy of scriptures• Belief in six day creation, miracles, etc

– God’s authority as supreme (over human laws)– Application of Biblical laws to daily life– Absolute truth of Christianity– Expect imminent return of Christ


• Characteristics of Christian Fundamentalists from an ‘outsider’ point of view– Literalist interpretation of scripture– Rejection of science if contrary to Bible– Male dominance – Tendency to denounce others as ‘evil’ of

‘demonic’– Tendency to see other points of view as evil


• Characteristics of Christian Fundamentalists according to Lawrence– Acceptance of modern technology– Reaction against modernity, with its• Secular values• Democratic decisions• Acceptance of new lifestyles and sexualities• acceptance of females in public leadership roles

Scopes Monkey Trial• The 1925 Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ was a clash– Between fundamentalism and liberalism– Between the Bible Belt and northern cities– Between Science and traditional religion– Between traditionalism and modernity

Scopes Monkey Trial• John Scopes was a high school science teacher

in Dayton Tennessee, a small town.• He reluctantly agreed to be charged with

violating the Tennessee law against teaching evolution.

• The goal wasto bring moneyand publicity to the town(it worked!)

Scopes Monkey Trial– Despite the charge, the real issue on trial was

Christian Biblical Literalism vs. modern science– Especially evolution.– https://historymartinez.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/fundamentalist-crusades-of-the-twenties-prohibition-the-scopes-trial-powerpoint/

https://historymartinez.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/

Scopes Monkey Trial– Despite the charge, the real issue on trial was

Christian Biblical Literalism vs. modern science– Especially evolution.

– https://historymartinez.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/fundamentalist-crusades-of-the-twenties-prohibition-the-scopes-trial-powerpoint/

https://historymartinez.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/

Scopes Monkey Trial– The fundamentalist side was led by William Jennings

Bryant. He had 3 times been a candidate for President.– The liberal, defense side was led by Clarence Darrow, a

Chicago-based, liberal.

Scopes Monkey TrialThe trial had lots of unusual features• Moved out of doors when it became too hot inside• Defense lawyer got Prosecutor (Bryant) to take the stand and

answer questions about the Bible. Bryant had to admit there were inconsistencies.• Defense lawyer (Darrow) asked the jury to find his client guilty!

So that he could appeal to a higher court!

Scopes Monkey Trial– Scopes was found guilty and fined $100.– Later, the verdict was overthrown on the technical

grounds that the fine was too high.– He wasn’t retried, however, and he later moved to work

elsewhere.– Bryant stayed in Tennessee, where he was treated as a

religious champion. He died shortly after the trial.– Darrow returned up North, as a liberal champion.– The nation came to realize how split it was between

Christian fundamentalism and liberal values.• But that split didn’t show up in party politics for decades.

The Bible Belt• The Bible Belt is a term describing a vaguely

defined region in the Southern USA– Strong Protestant area, with conservative values.

Social Gospel

• The term Social Gospel started when Reinhold Niebuhr and other liberal Protestant clergy who advocated for the poor.

• The concept was that just as Jesus brought relief to the poor, so should the modern Church

• I.e., get churches out of pews and into action applying the gospel to social problems

Social Gospel -- Catholic

• The term Social Gospel came to public attention again in the 1960s via Roman Catholic priests advocating for the poor in Latin America

• The Vatican denounced the movement– Fearing it was too Marxist and/or communist.

• This approach is still very respected, but is still suspect by the Vatican.

Social Gospel -- Canada

• The social gospel in Canada arose out of the prairie provinces

• Tommy Douglas called for the ‘application of the gospel to social conditions’.

• Wanted Christians to be – Less concerned with doctrine and dogmas– More concerned with humanity

• The Canadian health care system

Social Gospel -- Canada

• The social gospel approach in Canada has left at least two important legacies

• 1. The Canadian health care system• 2. The NDP party (social democrat)

Issue 1: Topics -- Evolution

• Evolution as seen by ‘Creationist’ Christians– Denounced because it differs dramatically from

Genesis– Reduced to a mere ‘theory’– Countered with other worldviews• Creationism• Intelligent Design

Issue 1: Topics -- Abortion

• Abortion remains a controversial practice. The two sides are

• pro-life– Against abortion in all or most cases

• Pro-choice– Supports the woman’s right to choose in matters

relating to her own body.• Has been elevated to a major political issue in

the USA

Issue 1: Topics – Stem Cell Research

• Stem Cell Research is opposed by some conservative Christians– Because the stem cells are extracted from embryos

left over from fertility clinics• Though the embryos would otherwise have been discarded,

opponents see it as abortion• Note, many conservative Christians view stem cell research

as moral and of scientific merit

• Umbilical cord cell extractions are accepted by more conservatives because using them doesn’t harm any organism.

Issue 1: Topics – Birth Control

• Artificial methods of birth control have traditionally been denounced by several religions.

• Under influence of conservative Christians, birth control was illegal under the 1873 Comstock Law– Later overturned

• The Vatican continues to denounce artificial birth control.

Issue 1: Topics – Same-sex Marriage

• Same-sex marriage has become a major issue– For the religions internally

• E.g., Anglican church is really splitting on this issue• Other churches have similar divisions

– For public policy• With traditionalists holding to man-woman marriage• With courts demanding equal rights for alternate marriage

patterns• With same-sex partners wanting to be recognized in every

way the same as opposite-sex partners– In 2004 USA elections, Rove used the issue to get out

the conservative voters to vote Republican

Issue 2. Chr. Right – Moral Majority

• 1979-89 The Moral Majority, led by Jerry Falwell– Against proposed Equal Rights Amendment• Against the feminist agenda of the era

– Against homosexuality and gay rights– Against abortion

Issue 2. Chr. Right – Christian Coalition

• 1988 The Christian Coalition, led by Pat Robinson, took up the agenda of the Moral Majority.

• It focused on getting conservative Christians elected to office at all levels of government.

• It made great use of Voter Guides as a way of promoting candidates it favoured.

Issue 2. Chr. Right – Faith-Based Initiatives

• George W. Bush campaigned, partly, on the concept of ‘faith-based initiatives’

• The concept was to funnel federal money through religious organizations, to help the poor

• After winning the elections, the Congress didn’t pass the legislation, so Bush used Charitable Choice and Executive Orders to do this.

• Obama has reversed this.

Issue 2. Chr. Right – Voter Behaviour

• Studies of religious affiliation and voting behaviour suggest the following:

• Evangelical Christian strongly favour Rep.• But African American Evangelicals tend to

vote Dem. • Christians in total (not just Evangelicals) break

pretty evenly between Dem and Rep.• Issues such as war or economy can override

the normal patterns.

Issue 3. Islam in North America

• Although some percentage of the slaves were likely Muslim before being enslaved, few African Americans were Muslim until the mid 20th century

• Immigration from the Middle East, Africa and Asia brought Sunni and Shi’i Islam to the USA and Canada.

• Muslims are around 3% of the population of the USA and Canada.


• The Nation of Islam was started by Wallace Fard (later Arabized as Farad) in the 1920s

• Elijah Poole (later Elijah Muhammad) met Fard in 1923– Elijah understood Fard to be the ‘awaited one’

along the lines of the New Testament and Quranic expectations

– Later this was turned into the belief that Fard was Allah (now abandoned since it is so heterodox)


• Wallace Muhammad, 7th son of Fard, became leader after his father’s death.– Took the movement toward Sunni and the

mainstream– Renamed the organization


• 1978 Louis Farrakhan revived the former name and took leadership of the main Nation of Islam movement.

• He restored the old NOI traditions, but also has moved toward more mainstream Sunni Islam.

• Farrakhan has enjoyed funding from


• 1978 Louis Farrakhan revived the former name and took leadership of the main Nation of Islam movement.

• He restored the old NOI traditions, but also has moved toward more mainstream Sunni Islam.

• Farrakhan has enjoyed funding from North African states


• 1995 Million Man March on Washington– Farrakhan organized and set the program for this

demonstration by African American men.– He incorporated Islamic invocations and blessings

into the program, thus giving the impression that it was an Islamic event.

• NOTE: Farrakhan has moved the Nation of Islam from an anti-governmental stance to political activism.


• The Muslim population of Canada more than doubled from the 1991 to 2001 census, rising from 1 to 2% of the population.

• Estimates put Muslims as high as 3% currently.• Membership is mosques tends to draw from

many countries of origin and cultures.• Estimates suggest that 10% or Muslims in

Canada are Shi’i.


• 2003 Shariah Mediation Controversy– A proposal to start an Islamic Institute of Civil

Justice to serve as a Shariah based mediation centre led to great controversy

– Some Muslims and some non-Muslims feared that female Muslims would be coerced into settlements (re money, child custody, et al) that were not fair by Canadian norms (law or culture)


• 2003 Shariah Mediation Controversy– The Boyd report suggested allowing religious-

based mediation, but with some government oversight and minimal norms.

– Critics denounced the report’s recommendations as inadequate to protect females.

– 2005 Premier McGinty announced that faith-based arbitration• Reversing past practice and Boyd’s recommendations.


• Has Islam become the 4th American religion?• Should Herberg’s ‘Protestant, Catholic, Jew’

triple melting pot thesis be updated to include Islam?– PRO: Enough population (3%); Acceptance of

English and American cultural values, Serving in military; high profile in sports; Elected Politians

– CON: Some rejection of American values; some sympathy with Islamicist terrorism.

Other Issues: Sikh Turban & Kirpan

• Sikhs and wearing of the turban and kirpan• Male Sikhs who are members of the elite

group of Sikhs called the Khalsa– Should wear the five Ks (five things that start with

K in Punjabi)• Uncut hair• Comb• Dagger (kirpan)• Brachlet• shorts

Other Issues : Sikh Turban & Kirpan

• Sikh turban controversies– Traditionally, not cutting one’s hair meant wearing

a turban (wound around the long hair) and a chin cloth (holding the rolled up beard under the chin)

– Wearing the turban conflicts with Canadian laws or customs some times• Should Sikh Mounties be allowed to wear a turban

rather than the parade hat?• Should Sikh construction workers be allowed to wear a

turban rather than a hard hat?

Other Issues : Sikh Turban & Kirpan

• Sikh kirpan controversies– The kirpan is a dagger worn by Khalsa males. It was

originally meant as a weapon to protect Sikhs in their struggles against Muslims.

– Now it is more a ritual object (but it is a potential weapon)

– Canadian courts have struggled with how to respect religious customs while keeping weapons out of the work place or schools.

– One court ruling permits kirpans in schools as long as they are sewn into a pouch. (i.e., worn but not useable as a weapon.

Other Issues: Christian Militia

• The ‘Christian Militia’ movement is growing in the USA.

• The 2010 arrest of leaders of the Hutaree Militia in Michigan brought these allegations– Plot to kill one policeman, then kill many more at

the funeral– Belief that the End Time is about to happen and

that bringing down the government will speed it along.

Other Issues: Christian Militia• On what basis does the Hutaree believe in militancy and

war in the name of Christ?• We believe that one day, as prophecy says, there will be an

Anti-Christ. All christians must know this and prepare, just as Christ commanded. Luke 22:35-37, And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36, Then he said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37, “For I say to you that this which is written must be accomplished in me: ‘And He was numbered with transgressors,’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” This clearly states the reason for the training and preparation of the Hutaree.

• From www.hutaree.com

Other Issues: Christian Militia• “Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves

using the sword and stay alive using equipment. The only thing on earth to save the testimony and those who follow it, are the members of the testimony, til the return of Christ in the clouds. We, the Hutaree, are prepared to defend all those who belong to Christ and save those who aren’t. We will still spread the word, and fight to keep it, up to the time of the great coming.”

• From www.hutaree.com

Other Issues: Christian Militia

• The ‘End Time’ or Eschaton is a Christian belief derived from the last book of the New Testament, Revelations, chapter 20. – Where it is said that Jesus will return to rule over

the earth for a 1000 years• Some expect the 1000 years to precede the return• Others expect the rule to be 1000 years

– Many Christian sects and movements throughout history have been motivated by the idea that the End Time is about to happen

Other Issues: Militia Movement

• Is the ‘Christian Militia’ movement a terrorist group?– Terrorism is usually understood as the use of

random violence to provoke terror among a population, for some larger political goal.

– By that definition, a Christian militia group that plans to or actually does kill random civilians to bring about their larger goals would be a terrorist group.

Other Issues: Rapture and Israel

• The Christian Right in North America tends to be a staunch supporter of modern Israel. Why?– One reason relates to the concept of the Rapture.– Link to picture and site

http://www.arkdiscovery.com/rapture_israel.htm


• The Rapture is a belief that Christ will come again soon– Based on interpretations of the books of Daniel

and especially Revelation of the Bible– There are several, and variant, interpretations of

what will happen, but the following gives an idea of what is typically expected (by Christians who believe in the Rapture)


• Timetable of the Final Days, according to Evangelical Christians expecting a Rapture.

• First, there will be a gathering in which Jesus will come, hidden in clouds, and gather the true believers (‘the elect’) in one place– The rest of us, Christians or others, will not know

this is happening.


• Timetable of the Final Days, according to Evangelical Christians expecting a Rapture.

• Second, there will be a ‘rapture’ in which Jesus hidden in clouds, will be cause the true believers to be caught up (enraptured) into the clouds with him. (the others won’t know)– The term ‘rapture’ comes from Latin rapura,

referring to being ‘caught up’ and ecstatically happy.


• Timetable of the Final Days• Third, sometime after the rapture, there will

be the ‘second coming’ of Jesus.– Some there will be 3.5 years, others 7 years,

between the rapture and second coming.– Jesus will begin a 1000 year (millennium) reign– Now, the rest of us will be aware that something

has changed


• Timetable of the Final Days• Fourth, after the second coming, there will be

a period of severe tribulation (suffering) on earth.– Under the Anti-Christ– The length of the Tribulation varies among

believers.


• Timetable of the Final Days• Fifth, during the Tribulations period, or

somewhere in this process, Israel (the Jews) will accept Jesus as the Messiah (Christ).

• Some think the Millennium rule starts at this point.


• Timetable of the Final Days• Sixth, after the Tribulations period, Jesus will

save those who have turned to him.– They will then join the raptured ones in heaven.


• How does this relate to USA and Canada policy toward the modern state of Israel?

• First, Daniel chapter 9 contains prophecies relating to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple. – So, Millenarian Christians assume that the

founding of modern Israel and eventual rebuilding of the temple is a good sign• Because it means the end time is coming.



• One Day = One Year– Based upon a reading of certain passages, the

Millennialists interpret prophetic references to ‘days’ as ‘years’.• So, the ‘2300 days’ in Daniel becomes 2300 years

– (But even that date has already passed! So, adjustments are made)



• Christian evangelicals, led by Southern Baptists, have adopted the idea that the founding of modern Israel in 1948 is the first stage in fulfilling biblical prophecy about the End Times.

• Many sermons, books and movements have advanced this concept (see next screens)


• 1970 Hal Lindsay published The Late Great Planet Earth, which spread the concept that modern Israel was a fulfilment of prophecy.

Other Issues: Rapture and Israel• 1995-2007 Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkings

wrote the ‘Left Behind’ series, with 16 books selling millions of copies.

• Movies and video games followed. • link to movie trailer for Left Behind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h2LtAG3Mkw


• 2002 Ralph Reed (Pres. Bush’s close pastor/advisor, author and advisor to Republicans) started the ‘Stand for Israel’ movement. Thousands urged the White House to support Israel.

Harper and Israel

• Canadian PM Stephen Harper is a staunch defender of Israel.

• His talks use other justifications for this stance• Link to YouTube speech• But, given his evangelical church ties, some

have wondered how much the Christian notion of End Times plays in his political choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUfFdhIOoQM

Conclusion to the Course

• We began by considering some theorists who described the characteristics of religious fundamentalism.

Ruthven

– The ‘family resemblances’ of Ruthven• Missionary• Wish to transform society• Anti-secularism• pro-traditional family roles• Ideological ‘purism’

Lawrence’s ‘Characteristics’

• Lawrence offered five characteristics that he feels are typical of fundamentalist movements, whether Christian, Jewish or Christian. (p 100, 101)

Characteristics

• In my words, the five are that fundamentalists characteristically . . . 1. have a minority complex.

Characteristics

2. see themselves as strongly opposed to mainstream society and feel the need to confront that society's values.

Characteristics

3. led by males, and more specifically by males who see the role of women in "traditional" terms of raising children, giving support to male leaders, etc. (In short, their stance is the opposite of what we now might call a feminist perspective)

Characteristics

4. use specialized terms of reference whose full meaning is not grasped by outsiders. Such terms include "halakah", "shari'a", "inerrancy", and more recently "family values" or "jihad".

Characteristics• Lawrence's fifth point is more an historical interpretation

than a "characteristic" of fundamentalism. Again, in my words, it is that fundamentalism . . . 5. is a new kind of religious movement that was not possible before the rise of modern, secular, technologically based culture.

• Although there have always been extremely conservative or even militantly zealous religious movements among Jews, Christians and Muslims, there cannot by (Lawrence's) definition be "fundamentalists" of the modern type before the rise of modernity. The definitional reason is that L. makes "opposition to modernity" a key part of his definition of fundamentalism.

Huntington’s Thesis

• We also looked at Samuel Huntington’s claim that the ideologies of the Cold War were giving way to a new world order based mainly on civilizations– And the civilizations were mainly formed along

religious/cultural lines

Religion and Politics

• To these theorists, we added the observation that very conservative and fundamentalist religions tend to want to influence– Public laws– Public policy – Political parties or regimes


• We have looked at some possible examples of this influence

• In Iran, a faction of the clerics have taken power and have set up a theocracy in which they give themselves veto power over all parties, platforms, legislation and administration.


• In Iraq, after the overthrow of the rather secular Baathist regime of Saddam, the Shi’i clerics are slowly but surely shaping the political agenda.

• In Afghanistan, the Taliban is a good fit for the characteristics of a fundamentalist movement.


• In India, we saw the beginnings of the end of Nehru’s secular state ideal.– As conservative Muslims and Hindus struggle for

control over state policy– With the Babri masjid a key issue


• In Saudi Arabia, we saw a long standing partnership between a fundamentalist kind of Islam (the Salafist or Wahhabi) and the royal house.– Through oil riches, Wahhabi style Islam has been

spread around the world as the ‘true Islam’


• In Israel, we saw a struggle of two peoples for the same land– With fundamentalist Jews and Muslims at the

extremes of both sides of the issues

Religion and Politics• In Europe, we saw the struggle of two kinds of

civilazations– A secular one that arose out of a Christian,

Western base that favours modernity and openness

– And a Islamic one that is split between those who want to fit into European society and those who want to resist modernity and Christian dominance.

Religion and Politics• In North America we saw the rise of a Muslim

minority growing large enough to make its presence known in policy and politics.– Giving rise to controversies re

• Terrorism• Support for the state of Israel• Women’s dress and equality

• Plus more traditional controversies• Science (stem cells, evolution, et al)• Abortion• Role of females• Same sex marriage

My conclusions?

• In my opinion– Religious and political leaders have always

struggled against each other for control over laws, morals and public behaviours.• They continue to be ‘in each other’s face’ today• With the conservative religious faction winning in

– Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia

• With the secularists winning in – China, Turkey (now changing),

• With increasing religious power in – USA, Turkey, Iraq

My hope

• It is my hope that this course will prove useful to you in your professional career and in your personal life.

• It has been my joy to walk with you for a few months!

• Thank you, • Dr A

na 2015.ppt

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