For Zion's Sake

Fuad Sha'ban

Description

This book explores the role of religion, especially religious extremism, in American culture. In particular, it examines the development of the Judeo-Christian tradition, its impact on America's self-image, and the way it has influenced America's attitude to the Arab World.



The Christian Right has become a very powerful force in American politics. Its basic belief in Christian Zionism has resulted in a steadfast commitment to the establishment of the state of Israel and to its aggressive expansion, and has made Zionism a central part of government policy, for both Republicans and Democrats.



Fuad Sha'ban shows how this is not a new phenomenon: what he terms the 'Vision of Zion' in American life has its roots in literature, the arts and internal politics from colonial times until today. Looking in detail at a wealth of resources, including religious and literary texts, as well as official political statements, he pieces together a subtle account of how America's Puritan roots have fostered a specifically religious political culture that encourages hatred and suspicion of the Muslim World in domestic and foreign policy.
Foreword by Dr. Louis J. Budd

Introductory Essay by Dr. Ralph Braibanti

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Part I - In the Beginning: Christopher Columbus and the Quest for Zion

Part II - Zion in America

1. A Place for My People

2. The Star in the West

3. The Great Seal of the United States of America

4. The Vision of Zion: The American Myth of the City on a Hill

5. Zion and the African-American Experience

Part III - The Promised Land: American Travellers in the Orient: The Quest for Zion

Part IV - Religion in America

1. The Judeo-Christian Tradition: Prelude

2. The Role of Religion in American Life

3. America and the Millennial Fever

References

Index

Sujets

• Jewish Studies
• Social Science
• USA
• United States of America
• États-Unis

Informations

• Publié par: Pluto Press
• Date de parution: 20 mars 2005
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781849644716
• Langue: English

Extrait

For Zion’s Sake

For Zion’s Sake

The Judeo-Christian Tradition in American Culture

Fuad Sha’ban

First published 2005 by Pluto Press 345 Archway Road, London N6 5AA and 839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48106

www.plutobooks.com

Copyright © Fuad Sha’ban 2005

The right of Fuad Sha’ban to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 0 7453 2237 9 hardback ISBN 0 7453 2236 0 paperback

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data applied for

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Designed and produced for Pluto Press by Chase Publishing Services Ltd, Fortescue, Sidmouth, EX10 9QG, England Typeset from disk by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd, Chennai, India Printed and bound in Canada by Transcontinental Printing

Dedicated to My Wife For inspiring confidence in times of despondence, For bringing discipline to chaotic work habits, And for valuable support and advice

Acknowledgements

Contents

Foreword, by Ralph Braibanti

Introductory Essay, by Louis J. Budd

Introduction

Part I: In the Beginning

1

Christopher Columbus and the Quest for Zion

Part II: Zion in America

2 3

4 5

6

A Place for My People: The Pilgrims in the New World The Star in the West: The United States as the Light of the World The Great Seal of the United States of America The Vision of Zion: The American Myth of the City on a Hill Zion and the African-American Experience

Part III: The Promised Land

7

American Travelers in the Orient: The Quest for Zion

Part IV: Religion in America

8 9 10

The Judeo-Christian Tradition: Prelude The Role of Religion in American Life America and the Millennial Fever

Notes

Bibliography

Index

vii

ix

xiii

1

11

19

21

27

29

43 57

61 101

117

119

149

151 161 192

212

229

235

Acknowledgements

During the years spent on this research, I accumulated debts to so many people. The Bibliography will serve as a partial acknowledge- ment to those who preceded me in dealing with some aspects of this subject. Over a period of 40 years of teaching at the Universities of Damascus, King Saud, Duke, the UAE, and the University of Petra in Amman, Jordan, many colleagues and students have enriched my research and contributed with discussion and suggestions to the thinking that led to this work. The initial stage of the work began in 1982–83 when I was Visiting Scholar at Duke University on sabbatical from Damascus University. At that time, James B. Duke Professor Ralph Braibanti, Director of Islamic and Arabian Studies at Duke, invited me to hold the position of Senior Research Fellow, also providing me with office space, sec- retarial assistance, and occasions to participate in the Outreach Lecture Program. I am grateful for this opportunity and the ameni- ties. Most of all, I am grateful for Professor Braibanti’s continued interest in my research and for the many hours of discussions with him which clarified a number of points and made this work a pleasure. Down through the years, my association with him has been an inspiration. Professor Braibanti also granted me permission to use the “Foreword” which he had written for my bookIslam and Arabs in Early American Thought: The Roots of Orientalism in America. While at Duke University, I had many stimulating discussion ses- sions with the late Professor Clarence Ghodes, Professors Louis Budd and Buford Jones. Their ideas and comments have been very helpful even when we disagreed on some points. I am very grateful to each of them. Professor Budd has read and commented on some of my works, and has continued to be a friend and supporter. He has also kindly granted me permission to use the “Introductory Essay” which he had written for my bookIslam and Arabs in Early American Thought: The Roots of Orientalism in America. The Perkins Library at Duke University is an ideal venue for serious research, not only by virtue of its large collections, but also for the helpful attitude of its staff. Many persons, especially those working in the Reference, Manuscripts, Rare Book, Documents, and

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