Religion and nationalism often intertwine, shaping a sense of belonging while creating ‘us vs. them’ divisions. Illustration by the author.
The research article “Patriotism, Nationalism, and Illiberalism in Their Relation to Religion” by Boris Knorre and Tobias Koellner (2022) explores the connection between religion and nationalism. Both can give people a strong sense of belonging, but they can also create a divide between “us” and “them.”
When religion becomes part of national identity, people may view their country as sacred or chosen by a higher power. This can inspire pride in who they are, but it can also lead to exclusion or prejudice against those who are different .
The researchers point to examples like Hindu nationalism in India and Orthodox nationalism in Russia, where religion is used to strengthen national pride and support political power. In these cases, religion can make people feel their nation is unique or superior .
However, religion and patriotism are not inherently negative. When practiced inclusively, they can bring people together and foster unity. The problem arises when the idea of being “special” turns into believing that only one group matters.
Overall, the research shows that religion and nationalism often share a common feeling: the belief that “we’re special and different.” Depending on how it is expressed, this feeling can either unite people or create divisions.
Reference:
Knorre, B., & Koellner, T. (2022) . Patriotism, nationalism, illiberalism in their relation to religion: A cross-cultural perspective . Religions, 13(9), 772. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13090772