THE POLITICS OF FAITH AND THE STRATEGIC USE OF RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE IN MODERN POWER RELATIONS

Abstract

Religious discourse has historically functioned as one of the most potent tools in shaping societal hierarchies, legitimizing authority, and mobilizing collective identities. In modern contexts, faith continues to occupy a central role in the orchestration of political strategies, statecraft, and ideological dominance. This article explores how religious language, symbolism, and institutions are strategically harnessed to consolidate power, influence public opinion, and negotiate authority in socio-political domains across diverse contexts. Using theoretical insights from Michel Foucault, Talal Asad, Edward Said, and Jürgen Habermas, the study situates religion as both a discourse and a practice embedded in modern power relations. Drawing on comparative examples from South Asia, the Middle East, and the Western world, the paper underscores how religion operates simultaneously as a unifying force and a divisive instrument. The study concludes by highlighting the ethical dilemmas that emerge when faith is strategically appropriated for political gain.