Religious Othering

Perhaps the most disturbing feature of globalization is the emergence of a new tribalism, an attitude expressed in the common phrase, “thank God we’re not like them.” Religious Othering: Global Dimensions explores this political and religious phenomenon.

Why are these new xenophobic movements erupting around the world at this moment in history, and what are the features of religious identity that seem to appeal to them? How do we make sense of the strident forms of religious exclusion that have been a part of the past and re-emerged around the world in recent years? This book brings together research scholars from different fields who have had to answer these questions in their own ground-breaking research on religious-othering movements. Written in an engaging, personal style, these essays share these scholars’ attempts to get inside the worldviews of these neo-nationalists through such research approaches as participant observation, empathetic interviews, and close textual reading.

Religious Othering: Global Dimensions is of interest to students and scholars in religious studies and the social sciences. In addition, anyone concerned about the rise of religious extremism in the contemporary world will be fascinated with these journeys into the mindsets of dogmatic and sometimes violent religious groups.

Mark Juergensmeyer is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and William F. Podlich Distinguished Fellow and Professor of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College.

Kathleen Moore is Professor of Religious Studies and Associate Dean of Humanities at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dominic Sachsenmaier is Professor of Modern China and Global History and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Göttingen University.