Christianity and Transforming States

While it cannot be gainsaid that Christians are frequently targeted for oppression in a variety of global contexts, the opposite is also sadly true: Christians can also become the oppressors of persons and peoples they regard as deviant or repugnant, even those whose only fault is being Christian differently. David Emmanuel Singh's essay collection evinces a badly needed balance between this double-sided truth. Euro-inclusive without being Euro-exclusive, the book documents some of the lesser-known struggles of Global South and Global North Christians--Catholic and Orthodox, Protestant and Pentecostal--against one ideological juggernaut or another (Hindu[tva]ization or Islamicization, Sinicization, or Secularization, to mention but a few of the many discussed). A serious book for perilous times, argued with rigor and vigor. I recommend it highly. --Richard Fox Young, Timby Chair Emeritus, History of Religions, Princeton Theological Seminary This book unveils that there are as many Christianities as there are nation-states since each of the latter features both evolving histories of Christians in relationship to the state and shifting majority-to/from-minority positionalities of Christians across national demographic spectrums. Scholars of World Christianity, religion and politics, and political/public theologies, among those working in related fields, will benefit from these interdisciplinarily researched and presented case studies. --Amos Yong, former dean of the School of Mission and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary Diving into the intricate tapestry of state-religion dynamics and the varied ties between states and minorities, this illuminating volume presents a series of captivating case studies. Unveiling the multilayered nature of these relationships with nuanced precision, this work stands unparalleled in capturing the contemporary global landscape of minority construction and the practice of ""minoritization."" With its cutting-edge approach and incisive analyses, this book is a valuable resource for the interested public and scholars of religion, theology, politics, sociology, anthropology, and beyond. Prepare to be enthralled by the remarkable depth and breathtaking geographical scope this exceptional volume uncovers. --Felix Wilfred, editor in chief, International Journal of Asian Christianity, and emeritus head of the Department of Christianity, State University of Madras This book brings into focus the diversity of Christian experience and its intra-religious dynamics. It highlights the reality of Christianity as both victim in one setting and victimizer in another. As more than two-thirds of Christians globally live in religiously pluralistic environments, the book challenges today's believers to take to heart teachings of Christ in those socioreligious contexts, but also to not ignore the reality of intra-Christian contact, conflict, and exchange as illustrated in the book. --Wonsuk Ma, executive director, Center for Spirit-Empowered Research, Oral Roberts University Each essay in this fascinating volume gives us a remarkably enlightened, well-informed, and penetrating grasp of grassroots experiences of a different Christian community striving to survive within an often hostile political environment. With deft sophistication, all focus on struggles and tensions between ""minority rights"" (and/or survival) and ""majority rule"" that all too often, under the cloak of ""majoritarian democracy,"" can become oppressive and tyrannical, if not totalitarian. --Robert Eric Frykenberg, professor emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Madison