THEOLOGY AND THE POLITICS OF IDENTITY: RELIGION’S ROLE IN NATIONALISM AND CIVILIZATION

Abstract

This article investigates the interplay between theology and identity politics, emphasizing how religious doctrines, symbols, and institutions shape nationalistic ideologies and civilizational paradigms. Through a comparative analysis of historical and contemporary societies, the study highlights how theological narratives are instrumental in constructing collective identities, legitimizing political authority, and fostering socio-cultural cohesion or exclusion. Drawing upon multidisciplinary perspectives from theology, political science, and sociology, the article explores case studies ranging from European Christendom and Islamic nationalism to modern-day religious nationalism in South Asia. The findings reveal that while theology can be a unifying force in nation-building, it also has the potential to reinforce exclusionary or ethno-religious boundaries that challenge pluralism.