A Critical Contribution to the “Security-Religion” Nexus: Going Beyond the Analytical

This review essay explores the security–religion nexus by evaluating two books contributing to the “restorative turn” in International Relations (IR) theory and practice. While Securing the Sacred and Religion in the Military Worldwide “bring religion back” into the realm of international politics and security, I argue that the analytical purpose of the books is problematic, given that both studies imply a normative logic to the security–religion nexus. This is difficult for two reasons. First, it rests on an assumption about the resurgence of religion in the world and the conduct of research. Second, it furthers a powerful discourse in which religion has a rightful place in an orderly society. I therefore provide a critical contribution to the security–religion nexus by urging scholars of religion and security to embrace their underlying normative positions.