American Evangelicals: Conflicted on Islam

by Ashlee Quosigk, Bettina E. Schmidt (Editor), Steven J. Sutcliffe (Editor), Amy L. Allocco (Editor)

Overview

Ashlee Quosigk explores the diversity of opinions within the largest religious group in the US – Evangelical Christians – on the topic of Islam.

Evangelicals are often characterized as monolithically antagonistic toward Muslims. This book challenges that stereotype, exposing the sharp divides that exist among Evangelicals on Islam and examines why there is division. Drawing on qualitative research on two congregations in the US, as well as on popular Evangelical leaders, this book details the surprisingly diverse views Evangelicals hold on Muhammad, the Qur'an, interfaith dialogue, syncretism, and politics. This research is invaluable for providing a better understanding of what Evangelicals think, and why.

This book also offers insight into why conflict exists and why Evangelicals differ, while advancing culture war theory and qualitative methods. Specifically, it explores differences in moral authority (assumptions that guide one's perceptions of the world) among Evangelicals and explains how these differences influence their views on Islam. The findings are relevant to religious relations worldwide as everyone appeals to moral authority, irrespective of their geographic location.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350175587
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/03/2021
Series:	Bloomsbury Advances in Religious Studies
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Ashlee Quosigk is a visiting scholar at the University of Georgia, USA

Bettina E. Schmidt is Professor in the Study of Religions and Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Theology, Religious Studies and Islamic Studies at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK.

Steven J. Sutcliffe is Senior Lecturer in the Study of Religion in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He is the co-editor (with Carole Cusack) of The Problem of Invented Religions (2016) and (with Ingvild Gilhus) of New Age Spirituality: Rethinking Religion (2014) and is the author of Children of the New Age: A History of Spiritual Practices (2003).

Amy Allocco is a professor of religious studies at Elon University, USA.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1. Preparing for Battle: An Introduction to the Study
2. External Enemies and Internal Strife: A Historical Review of Evangelicalism and its Conflicts
3. The Great Divide: Evangelicals Identity and Conflicting Moral Authorities
4. Evangelical Leaders: Conflict and Diversity in Places of Power
5. Evangelicals Congregants: Strife, Variety, and Moderation
6. Complexities of Evangelical Views on Islam: Comparative Perspectives of Leaders and Congregants
7. Making Sense of the Conflict: Where do we go from here?
Appendix 1: Qualitative Approaches: Justification of Methods and Data Analysis
Appendix 2: Biographical Reflexivity, Researcher Identity, and Ethical Considerations
Appendix 3: Additional Demographics and Level of Engagement with Muslims
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

This work is a must-read for students, academics and general readers interested in the 21st century interface between the world's two largest religions.” —Peter G Riddell, Professor of History, SOAS University of London, UK

“This important study explores how evangelicals view Islam and Muslims, and finds more nuance, more complexity and more dialogue than many might think possible. Through close analysis of data based on conversations with a range of evangelical leaders and congregants, Quosigk's study stands as a warning against the easy assumptions and hasty judgements that are staple ammunition in an age of religious populism.” —Mathew Guest, Professor in the Sociology of Religion, Durham University, UK

“This book makes a thoroughly worthwhile contribution to the research of Christian-Muslim relations.” —The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies Oxford

From the Publisher