Prof. Chernus' research focuses on interactions between religion -- especially symbolic and mythic patterns related to religion and the academic study of religion -- and political affairs -- especially issues of war, peace, and national security -- in the history of the United States, with emphasis on the last 75 years. He is focusing on political mythology and developing the concept of the 'national insecurity state,' showing how fears about the existence of the nation underlay American foreign policy and American political life from the 1930s to the present day. He also studies alternative paradigms of security drawn primarily from the tradition of principled nonviolence in the United States.
keywords
how religion and the academic study of religion interface with political affairs -- especially issues of war, peace, and national security -- in the history of the United States, with emphasis on the last 75 years
