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New Study Shows Changing Evangelical Views on Islam after Sept. 11

A new study reveals the changes in evangelical views on religious identity and Islam since 9/11, and also discusses how Evangelicals view the challenges of pluralism and relativism in American society.

A new study reveals the changes in evangelical views on religious identity and Islam since 9/11.

In a new discourse by the editor of Religious Watch newsletter , Richard Cimino shows that Evangelicals have a more negative view of Islam than other Americans – a view that helps shape their personal identity as Evangelicals. The study, titled, “No God in Common: American Evangelical Discourse on Islam After 9/11,” also discusses how Evangelicals view the challenges of pluralism and relativism in American society.

Numerous surveys, evangelical books and articles published in the last decade have reflected the more negative view of Islam than other Americans, but the new study indicates that this viewpoint has strengthened since 9/11. The findings resulted from analysis of popular evangelical books published before and after 9/11, showing that writings after 9/11 draw sharper distinctions between Islam and Christianity, as well as asserting that Islam is essentially violent.

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In addition, the study found that there were three forms of writing against Islam: evangelical apologetics to prove the truth of Christianity against Islam; prophetic literature linking Islam as the main protagonist in end-times scenarios; and charismatic literature applying “spiritual warfare” teachings to Islam. According to an article released by Religious Watch, there is an increase in evangelical apologetics against Islam with a new breed of ex-Muslim evangelicals issuing sharp critiques that stress the radical separateness of Christianity from Islam.

The article also indicates increase pluralism in American society and new patterns of interaction between Islam and Christianity are challenging evangelical identity, leading to the emergence of new boundaries between evangelicalism and other religions. These new boundaries can both strain interfaith relations but also strengthen evangelical identity.

The study will be published in the December issue of the Review of Religious Research.

Religion Watch is in its 20th year of publication and is an independent monthly newsletter reporting on trends in contemporary religion through monitoring new books and periodicals and through first-hand reporting.

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