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The Making and Remaking of Borders and Boundaries: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity

Terry Pratchett

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Published in Asian American Religions: The Making And Remaking Of Borders And Boundaries (Religion Race And Ethnicity 21)

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Borders and boundaries are fundamental to human society. They define the limits of our physical and social spaces, and they shape our understanding of who we are and where we belong. While borders and boundaries can be seen as lines of division, they can also be seen as zones of contact and exchange. They are places where different cultures, religions, and ethnicities meet and interact, often in complex and contested ways.

Asian American Religions: The Making and Remaking of Borders and Boundaries (Religion Race and Ethnicity 21)

Asian American Religions: The Making and Remaking of Borders and Boundaries (Religion, Race, and Ethnicity Book 21)

by Fenggang Yang

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The relationship between religion, race, and ethnicity has been a particularly powerful force in the making and remaking of borders and boundaries. Throughout history, religious differences have been used to justify political divisions, territorial claims, and even wars. In the modern world, racial and ethnic tensions continue to fuel conflicts and divisions around the globe.

The Role of Religion in the Making of Borders

Religion has played a major role in the making of borders and boundaries since the dawn of civilization. In ancient times, religious beliefs were often used to justify the territorial claims of empires and kingdoms. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed that their pharaohs were divine beings, and that the borders of Egypt were therefore sacred. Similarly, the ancient Greeks believed that their gods had created the world and divided it into different nations, each with its own unique character and destiny.

In the Middle Ages, religion continued to be a major factor in the making of borders. The Christian Crusades, for example, were motivated by a desire to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims. The wars of religion that ravaged Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries were also fought over religious differences.

In the modern world, religion continues to play a role in the making of borders. For example, the partition of India in 1947 was based on religious lines, with the Muslim-majority areas becoming Pakistan and the Hindu-majority areas becoming India. Similarly, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is rooted in religious tensions between Jews and Muslims.

The Role of Race and Ethnicity in the Making of Borders

Race and ethnicity have also played a major role in the making of borders and boundaries. In the colonial era, Europeans used racial and ethnic categories to justify their conquest and colonization of other peoples. For example, the British justified their colonization of India by claiming that they were bringing civilization to a backward and inferior people. Similarly, the United States justified its expansion into the West by claiming that it was Manifest Destiny to spread American values and institutions to the Native American tribes.

In the modern world, racial and ethnic tensions continue to fuel conflicts and divisions around the globe. For example, the apartheid system in South Africa was based on racial segregation, and the conflict in the former Yugoslavia was fueled by ethnic tensions between Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians.

The Remaking of Borders and Boundaries

The making and remaking of borders and boundaries is an ongoing process. Throughout history, borders have been redrawn, shifted, and contested. In recent years, globalization and migration have challenged traditional notions of borders and boundaries.

Globalization has led to increased interconnectedness between different parts of the world. People, goods, and ideas are now able to cross borders more easily than ever before. This has led to the emergence of new transnational communities and identities.

Migration has also played a role in the remaking of borders and boundaries. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who have migrated across borders, either as refugees, asylum seekers, or economic migrants. This has put pressure on traditional border controls and has led to new debates about the nature of borders and boundaries.

The relationship between religion, race, and ethnicity is a complex and multifaceted one. Throughout history, these factors have played a major role in the making and remaking of borders and boundaries. In the modern world, globalization and migration are challenging traditional notions of borders and boundaries. It remains to be seen how these forces will shape the future of borders and boundaries.

Asian American Religions: The Making and Remaking of Borders and Boundaries (Religion, Race, and Ethnicity Book 21)

by Fenggang Yang

4.2 out of 5