Abrahamic faiths politicized: how scripture is weaponized in US, Israeli, and Iranian foreign policy
Original framing: “God on their side: how the US, Israel and Iran are all using religion to garner support” — The Conversation - Global
The original framing omits the historical and structural roots of religious nationalism, including the role of colonialism in shaping religious identities, the influence of indigenous and non-Abrahamic spiritual traditions, and the voices of religious minorities who are often excluded from the discourse. It also fails to address the ethical frameworks within religious traditions that advocate for peace, justice, and interfaith cooperation.
Medium structural omission detected in mainstream coverage.
This narrative is produced by secular academic and media institutions, often from a Western liberal perspective, which frames religion as a destabilizing force in politics. It serves the power structures that benefit from secular nationalism and marginalizes religious communities that seek to engage in politics ethically. The framing obscures the role of colonialism and imperialism in shaping religious identities and the ways in which religious institutions are used to legitimize state violence.
The use of religion to legitimize state power is not new; it has deep roots in the history of empires and nation-states. From the divine right of kings to theocratic regimes, religious authority has long been a tool of governance and control, often manipulated to serve political elites.
The politicization of religion in the US, Israel, and Iran is not a moral failing of individual leaders but a systemic strategy rooted in historical patterns of using faith to consolidate power.