This article takes a closer look at two very different religious groups—American Evangelicals and British Shia Muslims—who, despite their distinct backgrounds, are grappling with some surprisingly similar challenges.
By Dr. Tim Orr
In today’s increasingly secular world, religious communities are finding themselves in a bind. How do they keep their faith and traditions alive when the cultural tides push in the opposite direction? This article takes a closer look at two very different religious groups—American Evangelicals and British Shia Muslims—who, despite their distinct backgrounds, are grappling with some surprisingly similar challenges. While they come from different places and have different beliefs, both communities are working hard to navigate the secular pressures they face in their respective societies.
The goal is to compare how American Evangelicals and British Shia Muslims respond to these secular pressures. By exploring their strategies, the generational shifts within their communities, and the criticisms they encounter, I hope to understand better how these groups are managing to hold on to their religious identities in a fast-changing world.
Why compare American Evangelicals and British Shia Muslims? Despite their differences, these two groups have some intriguing similarities regarding their challenges. In the United States, Evangelicals have a significant influence on society and politics, whereas in the U.K., religion, including Islam, tends to be more of a private affair. This comparison helps us see how each group adapts to the secular pressures in their unique environments.
In the U.S., religion still plays a big role in public life, even though church and state are technically separate. American Evangelicals have found ways to leverage their political influence on issues like abortion, marriage, and religious freedom. But this involvement has its downsides—some people feel that Evangelicals are too cozy with conservative politics, which can turn off non-believers and even some younger members of the faith.
On the other hand, British Shia Muslims are navigating a different kind of secular landscape. In the U.K., religion is more privatized, and the public sphere is largely secular. This creates a tricky environment for religious minorities like Shia Muslims, who often have to balance their spiritual practices with the expectations of a society that might not always be welcoming of public displays of faith. Moreover, the legacy of British colonialism and the country’s multicultural nature add extra complexity to their experiences. These historical and cultural factors shape how British Shia Muslims respond to secular challenges, whether by adapting their rituals to fit within British norms or advocating for their religious rights in a legal system that prioritizes secularism.
Generational differences play a huge role in how both American Evangelicals and British Shia Muslims respond to secularism. These differences often lead to tensions within their communities, reflecting a broader diversity of thought.
Among American Evangelicals, younger generations are increasingly focused on social justice issues, like racial reconciliation and environmental stewardship. This shift has sometimes led to friction with older generations, who may prioritize issues like abortion and religious freedom. These generational shifts are shaking up leadership structures within Evangelical communities as younger leaders start challenging the traditional priorities of their predecessors. For example, the differing responses to the Black Lives Matter movement highlight this generational divide. While some younger Evangelicals have embraced the movement as a reflection of Christian values of justice and equality, others criticize it for aligning too closely with progressive ideologies that conflict with traditional Christian teachings. This tension isn’t just academic—it’s changing how Evangelical communities engage with the world around them.
Similarly, British Shia Muslims are experiencing generational shifts, especially in how younger Shia Muslims navigate their religious identity in a secular society. Growing up in a multicultural and pluralistic society, these younger generations may be more inclined to adapt their religious practices to fit within the broader British cultural context. This generational tension affects how religious values are passed down and interpreted. For example, some younger Shia Muslims might observe Ashura in more private and reflective ways, contrasting with the traditional public processions. This reflects a broader trend among younger Shia Muslims to balance their religious identity with their desire to integrate into British society. This balance sometimes puts them at odds with more conservative community members.
The way younger generations engage with secularism in both communities is fascinating. We’re seeing emerging trends and movements that challenge or redefine traditional responses to secular pressures.
There’s a noticeable shift towards social justice and activism for younger American Evangelicals, often diverging from older generations' more politically conservative stances. This isn’t just about changing priorities—it’s about rethinking how faith should engage with societal issues. Many younger Evangelicals advocate for a more inclusive, socially aware faith that is less tied to partisan politics. This movement has led to the rise of new leaders and organizations within the Evangelical community that prioritize issues like climate change, immigration, and racial equality—sometimes in ways that challenge the established order.
Among British Shia Muslims, younger generations are also engaging with secularism in ways that push back against traditional interpretations of Islam. Influenced by the multicultural and secular environment of the U.K., these young Shia Muslims are often leading efforts to reinterpret Islamic teachings in ways that make sense in their modern, diverse context. This has led to new movements within the Shia community that aim to bridge the gap between religious heritage and the realities of living in modern British society. For example, there’s a growing trend among younger Shia Muslims to engage in interfaith dialogue and community service initiatives, reflecting a desire to participate actively in wider society while still holding on to their religious identity.
Of course, both communities face their share of criticism, and these critiques often spark debates within the groups themselves.
For American Evangelicals, political activism has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it’s allowed them to influence public policy on key moral issues. But on the other hand, it’s also led to criticism—both from within and outside the community—that they might be blurring the lines between faith and politics. Some Evangelicals argue that engaging in politics is essential for advancing Christian values in a secular society. They believe that stepping back from politics would let secularism erode the moral fabric of society, failing the Christian mandate to be "salt and light" in the world. However, there’s another side to the story. Critics within the community worry that getting too cozy with conservative politics risks alienating non-believers and reducing Christianity to just another political agenda rather than a spiritual movement. This internal debate is a big deal, reflecting a broader struggle within Evangelicalism to balance spiritual renewal and evangelism with the perceived need to protect and promote Christian values in the public sphere.
Proponents of political activism among Evangelicals often defend their approach by talking about "Christian citizenship," which they see as a moral obligation to influence society in line with biblical principles. They argue that in a democracy, political engagement is a legitimate way to fulfill this duty. For these Evangelicals, activism is a form of stewardship, using democratic tools to safeguard religious freedom and promote moral values. They also believe that political activism doesn’t have to detract from the church’s spiritual mission—on the contrary, they see it as an extension of that mission, advocating for policies and governance that align with Christian teachings.
Meanwhile, traditionalist Shia Muslims face their own set of critiques, particularly when it comes to calls for more progressive interpretations of Islam. Traditionalists emphasize the importance of sticking to established religious teachings and practices, arguing that these traditions have been preserved for centuries because they represent the most authentic understanding of the faith. They see this adherence as crucial for the stability and continuity of the Shia community, warning that compromising on these practices to fit in with secular or cultural trends could weaken the community’s spiritual integrity. But there’s another side here, too. Critics argue that sticking too rigidly to traditional practices can create tensions within the broader society and alienate younger generations who might feel disconnected from these strict interpretations. This debate within the Shia community reflects a broader tension between those who advocate for a more progressive, context-sensitive interpretation of Islam and those who believe that any deviation from tradition could lead to a loss of religious identity and moral clarity.
Discussing these challenges in the abstract is one thing, but real-world examples bring them to life. Let’s examine how these dynamics play out in practice.
A great example of Evangelical political activism is their involvement in appointing Supreme Court justices. Evangelical groups played a significant role in supporting Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, mainly because they were likely to overturn Roe v. Wade. This example highlights how strategically engaged Evangelicals are in politics, but it also brings up the internal debates about how much political power they should wield. While this activism has increased Evangelical influence in the political arena, it’s also intensified criticism that their involvement might alienate younger generations and non-believers. This tension raises important questions about the long-term cohesion and growth of the Evangelical community as it tries to maintain its spiritual mission while staying politically active.
On the other side of the pond, British Shia Muslims face challenges around the use of Sharia councils for resolving family disputes. These councils are valued within the community for providing religiously appropriate solutions and maintaining the integrity of Islamic law. However, they’ve also been criticized for operating in a legal grey area and potentially undermining women’s rights under U.K. law. Within the Shia community, opinions on these councils are mixed—some see them as essential to preserving religious identity, while others, particularly younger members, view them as outdated and in need of reform. This example shows how these councils struggle to adapt to secular legal standards in the U.K. and highlight the broader implications for the Shia community’s cohesion and ability to navigate the tension between religious identity and secular societal expectations.
As American Evangelicals and British Shia Muslims continue to face the challenges of secularism, they’re walking a fine line between holding on to their religious identities and adapting to a rapidly changing world. Both communities are showing resilience, but their strategies aren’t without controversy. For Evangelicals, the blend of political activism and spiritual mission has sparked debate, while for Shia Muslims, sticking to traditional practices has led to tensions within their community and with the broader society.
These communities will likely face new challenges as secularism continues to evolve. For American Evangelicals, the growing divide between younger and older generations might push them to rethink how they balance political engagement with their spiritual mission. This could lead to further polarization or a shift in priorities that better aligns with the concerns of younger Evangelicals.
For British Shia Muslims, the pressure to adapt traditional practices to fit within a secular legal framework is likely to increase. As younger members seek ways to harmonize their religious identity with the realities of British society, the community may need to explore more progressive interpretations of Islamic law that remain faithful to core religious principles while also being responsive to the U.K.’s cultural context. The ability of both communities to adapt while maintaining their religious identity will be crucial to their future cohesion, growth, and influence in increasingly secular societies.