Conversion and apostasy in the late Ottoman Empire
Book Description
This scholarly exploration delves into the complex spiritual and political landscape of the nineteenth-century Ottoman Empire, where traditional religious foundations underwent profound transformation as the empire faced internal collapse. Selim Deringil examines how individuals and entire communities navigated questions of faith, identity, and survival during this turbulent period.
As established religious structures weakened, the Ottoman state responded with increased regulation and control through various official decrees. Within this challenging environment, people from different religious backgrounds found themselves making difficult choices about conversion to Islam, often driven by the need to protect their political standing, property rights, or even their lives.
The narrative reveals how the meaning and consequences of religious conversion evolved throughout the century. What initially served as a pathway to security and citizenship gradually became insufficient as the state grew increasingly suspicious of converts and their perceived disloyalty to Ottoman identity.
Deringil illuminates the intricate tensions between the Ottoman government, major European powers, and numerous evangelical organizations, all competing for influence over religious communities. This historical examination offers valuable insights into how religious and national identities intertwine, particularly relevant for understanding contemporary conflicts in the Arab world and Balkans.
Through careful analysis of this pivotal period, readers gain perspective on the enduring challenges of religious freedom, political survival, and the complex relationship between personal faith and state power.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 302 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion and state
- ✓ Explore Apostasy
- ✓ Explore Turkey, history
- ✓ Explore Islam
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Islam and state
- ✓ Explore Islam, turkey
