UNHOLY ALLIANCE – Part I
One can easily misidentify the two movements that inspire a majority of a territory’s populations – religion and nationalism – as antithetical, or at least intensely competitive. First, there is the tendency for nationalism to declare itself a secular movement. It will often advocate that religion assume a lesser role in the political lives of its targeted population.
Secondly, there are the historical examples that can be marshaled to prove that nationalism and religion are contentious rivals. At any time, somewhere on the international map they are unyielding competitors. The current attempts to unite bordering ethnic groups (Catholic Croatia and Orthodox Serbia, for example) in what was formerly known as Yugoslavia is but one pertinent example.
Such militant competitiveness between the two forces may also be seen in the Pakistan and India divide – one a Muslim country and the other a Hindu monopoly. It may be the primary reason for the historical lack of control Britain has had over (mostly Catholic) Ireland, or the unwillingness of Catholic Poland to yield hegemony to the mostly Orthodox Russians.
Nevertheless, religion and nationalism have been allies because they both seek the same goal: the unity of people. The leaders of both will recognize the potential resources the other has in achieving their integration goal of overcoming linguistic and other potential barriers. As one Russian cleric recently noted: “If Russia isn’t your mother, God can’t be your father.” They are indeed two independent factors, but much like a glove and a hand, they go well with one another. They form the perfect syncretic bond. They live in cooperative harmony.
This unity may even extend once the faith is transplanted: Orthodox Russians living in the United States will conduct parts of their rituals in their native language as well as in English and continue to commemorate their old national holidays, though many of the parishioners have never been to the “old country.”
There are other countries where these two movements – nationalism and religion - has served as evil twins with a singular purpose. The growth of German nationalism more than two centuries ago has been linked to the development of Protestantism, as it has been to nationhood building in England.
The inexorable link between nationalism and religion is central when we try to understand Islam. There is no distinction between the two in Islam. The Umma Wahida (one community) unites all Muslims regardless of national boundaries. Jewish nationalism too has a strong magnetic pull on Jews, even those who live in the Diaspora. Often that link is to the borders described in the Pentateuch that has God promising Jacob that “unto thy offspring will I give this land.” (Genesis 35:11-12) .
It was only in the 16th century – when invaded by other religious sects – that Japan had a need to invent a word for religion (shukyo). Shintoism served both as a religion and as a national movement – with deities (kami) inhabiting its various islands. This amalgam that produced men not afraid to die for their cause was painfully understood by the Supreme Command of the Allied Powers (SCAP) when they recommended, after WWII, that Shintoism, perhaps even more than militant nationalism, was to be curbed. They called for the emperor to renounce his divinity. They wished to reverse a course of national thinking, accepted as factual for 2,000 years, by military fiat. Imagine a conquering army, at the turn of this century, telling Americans that Jesus is no longer to be regarded as a Savior. More than committing a galactic stumble it would be a seismic flaw unless the Christian population of the U.S. was already convinced of this change.
But to recognize the root causes for a mistaken identity is not the same as to forgive the error; ask any parent after their toddler has slapped them. The two radical movements of nationalism and religion may have occasional rifts, but they are exceptions to the general rule. There are more factors that will unite them than separate them.
(In next week’s blog, I will outline some of the most widespread and salient features that serve as the denominators for both movements.)