RCS479A

Modern Religion and Empire

Critically examines religion, empire, and multiple worldwide cases of their intersection from post-medieval era to the present. Organizing themes may include religious dimensions of empires’ rise and fall, imperial connotations of modern ideas and institutions concerning religion and the nation-state, imperial notions of messianic salvation, religious resistance to empire, civilizational empires, and today’s forms of imperial resurgence. Diverse worldviews (e.g., Abrahamic faiths, further monotheistic and nontheistic religions, Indigenous traditions) are situated within relevant contexts.