Panel: MATERIALITY IN LIVED RELIGIONS: RETHINKING RELIGION AND THEOLOGY



419.3 - ZION AND ITS ISMS: THE MATERIALITY OF A CONTESTED RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL SYMBOL

AUTHORS:
Kramer M. (University of Vienna ~ Vienna ~ Austria)
Text:
The presentation examines the materiality of Zion as a physical place, religious symbol, and political construct, focusing on its multifaceted role in shaping Jewish-Muslim relations. Zion, deeply embedded in Jewish religious tradition, functions as both a tangible locus of divine connection and an enduring symbol of Jewish identity and eschatological (messianic) hope. Through the emergence of the modern Zionism in the 19. Century, its material and symbolic dimensions have been recontextualized, becoming a focal point of political conflict and religious contestation. It holds a pivotal influence in shaping the dynamics of the relations between Jews on the one side and Christian and Muslim Arabs on the other side. By adopting a multiperspective approach, this paper explores how Zion has materialized in religious rituals, political ideologies and practices in its different forms, from the practical and political to the revisionist and religious Zionism; the latter might be Jewish or Christian Evangelical. Through an analysis of sacred texts, religious practices, and modern geopolitical developments, the presentation highlights the interactions between material culture, religious belief, and socio-political realities. This critical inquiry contributes to the broader discussion on the materiality of religion by revealing how contested material symbols like Zion shape interfaith relations and contribute to religious and cultural polarization. In doing so, it seeks to identify pathways for dialogue and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of pluralistic and inclusive approaches in navigating religious diversity.