Claiming the Nation: Religion & Politics in the Philippines, with Jayeel Cornelio

The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia. This claim is often found in media commentaries about Filipinos and their spectacular religiosity. This talk introduces the concept of “theological nationalism” to refer to the discursive claims made by religious groups about the Christian identity of the Philippines. They do so by invoking religious resources, such as Scriptures and spiritual encounters, to argue for the divine destiny of the country as the only Christian nation in Asia. Drawing from discourses from the Catholic Church and other religious groups, this talk will highlight some of the consequences of theological nationalism for social and political life in the country.

Co-sponsored with the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA), Center for Global Christianity and Mission, and the Department of Political Science