Jan-June,2015 Religion in US Politics and the Rise of Evangelicals Peshawar Islamicus Vol:6, Issue 1 25 Religion in US Politics and the Rise of Evangelicals  Dr. Minhas Majeed Khan  Professor Qibla Ayaz Abstract The study attempts to examine the role of religion in US politics and explains the origin and history of Evangelicals (a Protestant Christian Movement) and their influence on US domestic and foreign policy with particular emphasis on Evangelicalism in the post 9/11 period. One aspect of looking at the War on Terror (WoT) in the post 9/11 wars is to see it whether it is a war between Evangelicals and the Muslim world or not. Therefore, it is important to understand Evangelicalism and its meaning and then find its effects on US policies at home and abroad particularly during Bush presidency. The study also explores Islamophobia and Evangelicals religious association with Israel. Key Words: Religion, US Foreign Policy, Evangelicals, Israel, Islamophobia, Christian Zionism, IRFA, Neo - Conservatives. There is no shortage of disagreement in scholarship negating the impact of religion on US policymaking. Nevertheless, the acknowledgment of influence of religion in politics remains largely undiminished. To begin with, the US history reveals that religion has had a significant influence on US public and political life since the early colonial times when German and English settlers came to America in search of religious freedom. Scholars have responded in a number of ways about religion’s role in US politics. It is important to note that American public life is neither wholly secular nor wholly religious but an increasingly changing mix of the two. History shows that trouble tended to come when one of these forces grew too powerful in proportion to the other, 1 and the trends in US foreign policy, on most occasions, clearly show this tendency. Patrick Henry presents the counter argument; ‘it cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not only by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ’. 2 This point is also sustained by James Bryce, an intellectual of the British Liberal Party in 1880 that clergymen were the first influential citizens in the US. They not only had authority in churches but also emphasized on the moral reformation of the society. They slowly enlarged their sphere of influence beyond their churches; so much that in 1900, around 650 full-time and 2200 part-time Evangelists were touring the country. 3 Other scholars, claiming that American religiosity was too vigorous a force to be kept within its limits, support the above arguments. The US foreign policy was never beyond the reach of religious influence. 4 Meaning of the Term Evangelical: Before considering the role of religion in US politics and foreign policy, it is important to understand the term Evangelicals. The term has its roots from the Greek word ‘Euangelion’ meaning Gospel or good news of Christ. In addition, Evangelicals stress on the authority of Bible.  Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar  Ex-Dean, Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Studies, University of Peshawar