8. Religion in American society, movements and current groupings and their impact Flashcards
“city upon a hill” by John Winthrop
Sure! The phrase “city upon a hill” comes from a sermon by John Winthrop, a Puritan leader and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1630, he delivered this sermon, titled “A Model of Christian Charity,” to his fellow settlers as they prepared to establish a new community in America12.
“City upon a hill” means that their new community should be an example of moral and righteous living for the world to see. Winthrop believed that if they lived according to their religious principles, their colony would be blessed and admired by others. Conversely, if they failed, their mistakes would be visible to everyone12.
John Winthrop was an English Puritan lawyer born in 1588. He played a crucial role in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony and served as its governor for many years. Winthrop’s vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping the early development of New England23.
What is civil religion in America?
Civil religion in America is a concept introduced by sociologist Robert N. Bellah in 1967. It refers to a set of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that provide a religious dimension to the political life of the United States, independent of any specific religious denomination12.
Key elements of American civil religion include:
- Sacred Texts: Documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are treated with a reverence similar to religious scriptures1.
- National Symbols: The flag, the national anthem, and monuments like the Lincoln Memorial serve as symbols of this civil religion1.
- Rituals and Ceremonies: Public events such as presidential inaugurations, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July are seen as civic rituals that reinforce the values and beliefs of American civil religion1.
Bellah argued that this civil religion helps to unify the nation by providing a common set of values and a sense of collective identity12.
What is Trump’s Muslim Ban, what does it entail?
The term “Trump’s Muslim Ban” refers to a series of executive orders issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump, starting with Executive Order 13769 on January 27, 201712. Officially titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” this order aimed to restrict entry into the U.S. from several predominantly Muslim countries.
Key points of the initial order included:
Travel Ban: It banned entry for 90 days for citizens from seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen12.
Refugee Suspension: It suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days and indefinitely banned Syrian refugees12.
Reduced Refugee Cap: It lowered the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. in 2017 from 110,000 to 50,000.
The order faced significant legal challenges and was revised multiple times. Critics labeled it a “Muslim Ban” because it primarily affected Muslim-majority countries12. The ban was eventually revoked by President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021.
What was the Moral Majority, and when was it founded?
The Moral Majority was a political organization founded by Jerry Falwell in 1979, focused on promoting conservative Christian values in American politics.
What was the Moral Majority’s main goal?
Its goal was to reshape American society and politics according to conservative Christian moral values, opposing abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and secularism.
How did the Moral Majority impact American politics?
It helped align conservative Christianity with the Republican Party, creating a powerful political base for right-wing politics and the Christian Right.
How did the Moral Majority influence the Trump era?
Trump tapped into the Moral Majority’s rhetoric, promising a return to Christian values and gaining support from evangelical Christians, despite his own questionable morals and actions.
What’s the biggest irony in the Moral Majority’s politics?
The Moral Majority often used religion to gain political power, but their agenda frequently contradicted core Christian values like compassion, justice, and equality.
