Sacralized nationalism licenses violence even within a pacifist religion

Evidence

DeVotta traces the historical and political processes that led to the rise of this nationalism to its current most potent level, where Sinhalese nationalism and religion have fused and it has become legitimate to invoke the need for violence, even within a Buddhist perspective, to ensure Sinhalese Buddhist domination. — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized, 179

Categorization

• XREF: Contradicts the assumption that Buddhism’s pacifist values would restrain nationalist violence — directly relevant to reading purpose on whether professed religious commitment constrains or legitimizes political violence. — connects to: Sacralizing religion extends state power across identity, law, and violence — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized:…, 67; Religious legitimation increases both the exclusivity and violence of ethnic nationalism. — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized:…, 131; Fusing religion with nationalism amplifies collective violence and self-sacrifice. — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized:…, 138 (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• A pacifist religion has been harnessed to an ethnocentric state ideology. #exemplifies (0.90)
• A tolerant religion’s peaceful values do not prevent nationalist militarism by its adherents #exemplifies (0.85) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 35
• Christian nationalism predicts approval of the Capitol rioters and political violence #exemplifies (0.82) — Andrew L. Whitehead, American Idolatry, 219
• Radical religious nationalism arises when sovereignty is read in redemptive terms #corroborates (0.80) — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized, 345
• A religion’s violence depends on context, not inherent character #expands (0.78)
• Sinhalese nationalist violence against Christians is opportunistic rather than primordial #qualifies (0.75) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 245
• Religious violence shifts historically within traditions, so no religion is inherently violent #expands (0.75) — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 515