The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths that have shaped America's collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. 'Christian Mentality' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political...

'Masking Hegemony' presents a critical evaluation of the language used in liberal political thought, tracing liberalism's use of two key binary concepts - public/private and religion/state - from the Protestant Reformation to the present. Whilst appearing to separate "religion" from "state" and "public" from "private," this language actually masks the influence of religious institutions on state policies and the inevitable circulation of power from the private to the public sphere in a liberal democracy. 'Masking Hegemony' uses the work of Gramsci, Foucault and Bourdieu to offer a fresh...

The scholarly study of Islam has become ever more insular and apologetic. Academic Islamic Studies has tried to maintain a focus on truth, authenticity, experience and meaning and has effectively avoided discussion of larger social, cultural and ideological issues. Many scholars of Islam have presented themselves to their colleagues, the media and the public as the interpreters of Islam and have done so with an interpretation which tends, almost universally, to the liberal and egalitarian. The ignorance and hostility which the Islamic faith has faced since 9/11 has partly necessitated the...