R. Charles Weller Knihy

The book explores the evolution of historical-cultural 'survivals' from late 19th-century theories, engaging with debates around monotheism and anti-Catholic sentiments. It traces these concepts back to their roots in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, as well as their secular adaptations during the German Enlightenment and Romanticism. The influence of the 'dual faith' tradition in Russian Orthodoxy on Tsarist and Soviet ethnography of Muslim Central Asia is highlighted, revealing its role in shaping imperial agendas and its ongoing impact on post-Soviet historiography.

Focusing on the intersections of Mosaic and Islamic law, this groundbreaking comparative study explores their influence on American constitutional law and national identity. It provides a nuanced historical context, tracing the rise of debates in the 1990s and 2000s surrounding the Ten Commandments and Mosaic Law. The book also addresses the connections between these legal discussions and the resurgence of anti-Semitism, anti-Sharia protests, and related legislation in the U.S. and Western societies, offering a comprehensive analysis of contemporary legal and social dynamics.