Reasons for Religion-Nationalism Relationship
In general, two explanations are proffered to explain the relationship between religion and nationalism. The first of these theories assumes that there are definite causal connections between the two factors. Adherents of this view believe that nationalism and national ideologies are used by religions as a means to an end, specifically the establishment of their own value system within the society. This theory is flawed, however, to the extent that the beliefs of theologians are not absolutely reflected in the beliefs of a religion's adherents. Many adherents, in fact, are typically content to live with one foot in a secular society and the other in religion. Further, with the exception of cults that typically have a single charismatic leader, religions are generally far from homogeneous. Take, for example, the Christian religion within the United States. Arguably, with the exception of certain core values by which individuals are operationally defined to be members of this group, the belief systems of adherents run the gamut from liberal, nearly secular views on the extreme left to ultraconservative, fundamentalist views on the extreme right. Views on such politically charged issues as abortion, gay rights, the death penalty, and torture vary widely within this heterogeneous group as well.