Claiming the Nation: Religion and Politics in the Philippines, with Jayeel Cornelio (Apr. 4, 2024)

The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia. This claim is often found in media commentaries about Filipinos and their spectacular religiosity. This talk introduces the concept of “theological nationalism” to refer to teh discursive claims made by religious groups about the Christian identity of the Philippines. They do so by invoking religious resources, such as Scriptures and spiritual encounters, to argue for the divine destiny of the country as the only Christian nation in Asia. Drawing from discourses from the Catholic Church and other religious groups, this talk will highlight some of the consequences of theological nationalism for social and political life in the country.

Jayeel Cornelio
(Ateneo de Manila, the Philippines)

Thursday, April 4 2024 from 5-6:30 pm 
Pardee School of Global Studies, 121 Bay State Road, Boston MA