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Religion In The Middle East Essay

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Faith, particularly Christian Protestantism, played a principal role in American foreign policy towards the Middle East from the Revolution through the Civil War. Evangelization and later Zionism would be two major themes of religious interest in the region; however, since most civic organizations of the time were based on some sort of religious congregation missionary efforts also served to spread American ideas about democracy and patriotism. While trade, piracy, and a need to project American power all influenced Middle East foreign policy during this time period religion appears to have been the source of the greatest fervor among American citizens.
Zionism is a concept as well as a movement for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine in an effort to fulfill Biblical prophecy regarding the second coming of Christ. Dispensationailism is an interpretation of Old and New Testament prophecies that predict the second coming of Christ will occur after a series of events involving the Antichrist, reconstruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, the Tribulation, and the ultimate victory of Christ in this conflict. Critical to the …show more content…

Because early American Protestants were also “chosen” they felt compelled to “act as a light unto nations,” which means setting an example for others to follow as well as spreading the good news about Jesus. This desire spurred the efforts of Levi Parsons and Pliny Fisk, Isaac Bird, William Goodell, and Eli Smith to conduct missionary activities in the Middle East. However, there were challenges, especially the Islamic law administered by the Ottoman Empire; whose laws proscribed beheading as the penalty for proselytizing. The need to protect American citizens abroad, regardless of their occupation directly influenced American foreign

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