• DOI:10.1111/j.1467-954X.1968.tb01291.x
• Corpus ID: 220396960

British Israelism

@article{Wilson1968BritishI,
  title={British Israelism},
  author={J. Christian Wilson},
  journal={The Sociological Review},
  year={1968},
  volume={16},
  pages={41 - 57}
}

• J. Wilson
• Published 1 March 1968
• Political Science
• The Sociological Review

The circumstances of the present limes arc such that ardent patrioiism and convinced rciigiou:> determinism arc considered anachronistic. But the British Israelite, in whom these strands of thouglit are forcefully allied, remains a familiar figure to Protestant church-goers. The movement to which he belongs has claimed a membership of two million and has branches in all Anglo-Saxon countries and yet link is known of its history and social composition. Study of the movement has revealed, not only how persistent the British Israel idea has been but also how all-embracing and impelling conviction of the identity of Britain with Israel can become.' British Israelites believe thai the Anglo-Saxons arc descended from the losi len tribes of Israel and will inherit their blessings in the Last Days. This belief leads them to conclude ihat the white race is inherently superior; that Britain and the Commonwealth, in partnership with the United States, musE lead the world by Divine appointment and that Britain, ;is a latter-day Israel, mcasuri-; her national well-being according to the extent to which she allows Protestant (fundamentalist) principles to influence her economic and political thinking.