Secularism as a category masks the colonial dimension of settler nationalisms

Evidence

Still, this aspect should also be examined in a wider context of Western secularization, namely, nationalism and colonialism: a notion of redemption and chosenness (inspired by biblical images) is to be found in many national identities and was also an important component of colonial consciousness that emerged simultaneously, mainly in England (Bhabha 1990; A. D. Smith 2004). … As such, while analyzing the exceptionality of Zionist narrative, we can also shed light on the model itself, namely, Western self-understanding and perceptions of secularism. Zionist discourse reminds us that it is impossible to distinguish the discussion of secularism from the discussion about Orientalism and colonialism. In other words, the category of secularism disguises the real issue at stake – the colonial dimension of Zionism inherent in the notion of secularization and nationalization of the Jews. — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized, 301

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Base Nation and the whole library strand on settler-colonial ideology masking itself; also echoes ‘The New Crusades’ claim about national-security rhetoric as proxy for white supremacy. — connects to: Secular settler-colonial projects increasingly need religious legitimation to sustain expansion. — Nadim N. Rouhana and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, When Politics Are Sacralized:…, 527; Secular concepts of religion arose through colonial encounters that recoded native practice as illusion — Talal Asad, Formations of the Secular:…, 161; European secularism emerged by externalizing religious violence through colonialism (+1 more)
• DEFINE: Defines ‘secularism’ in settler-colonial contexts as a disguising category rather than a neutral description.

Broader Connections

• Secular concepts of religion arose through colonial encounters that recoded native practice as illusion #expands (0.85) — Talal Asad, Formations of the Secular, 161
• European secularism emerged by externalizing religious violence through colonialism #expands (0.78)