8. Religion in American society, movements and current groupings and their impact Flashcards
“city upon a hill” by John Winthrop
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 America.
“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 everyone.
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 England.
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 denomination.
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 scriptures.
- National Symbols: The flag, the national anthem, and monuments like the Lincoln Memorial serve as symbols of this civil religion.
- 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 religion.
Bellah argued that this civil religion helps to unify the nation by providing a common set of values and a sense of collective identity.
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, 2017. 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 Yemen.
Refugee Suspension: It suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days and indefinitely banned Syrian refugees.
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 countries. 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.
Religious Foundations of America
o Early American settlers (Puritans, Quakers, Catholics) came seeking religious freedom, but not just freedom to worship—they were chasing the idea of constructing a new moral and social order based on their faith. For instance, Massachusetts (Puritans) and Pennsylvania (Quakers) had visions of creating utopian societies, which laid the groundwork for the enduring idea of religious freedom in the U.S.
o Irony alert: While promoting religious freedom for themselves, many colonies imposed strict religious codes on dissenters.
Quakers
Origins: The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) formed in the mid-17th century in England, emphasizing inner light and equality.
Beliefs: Pacifism, egalitarianism, simplicity, and religious tolerance.
Impact in America: They established Pennsylvania as a haven for religious freedom under William Penn, promoting tolerance and peace.
Puritans
Origins: A faction within the Church of England aiming to “purify” the church of Catholic practices.
Beliefs: Predestination, moral strictness, and a community centered around the church.
Impact in America: Established colonies like Massachusetts Bay, with a theocratic governance structure that heavily influenced laws based on their religious beliefs.
The First Amendment (1791)
Establishment Clause: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…”
Ensures no official state religion.
Protects religious pluralism.
Free Exercise Clause: “…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Protects individuals’ rights to practice their religion freely.
Separation of Church and State, foundational ideas
Inspired by the fear of religious tyranny and the desire for religious pluralism, early American leaders like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison argued for a “wall of separation.”
Religious Freedom, why it became so important early on?
A response to the religious persecution experienced in Europe and some American colonies (e.g., Puritan dominance in Massachusetts).
What does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment ensure?
That Congress cannot establish an official state religion, protecting religious pluralism.
What is the purpose of the Free Exercise Clause in the First Amendment?
To protect individuals’ rights to practice their religion freely without government interference.
What ideology aims to keep the government from favoring or imposing any particular religion?
the separation of church and state.
Name some modern issues that highlight the tension over the separation of church and state.
School Prayer: Debates about whether it’s appropriate in public schools, balancing freedom of expression with religious neutrality.
Public Religious Displays: Contentions over crosses, nativity scenes, and other symbols on government property.
Faith-Based Federal Funding: How government funds can be used by religious organizations without endorsing a particular faith.
Secularism in America
Secularism in theory tries to separate religious belief from public policy, assuming that modern society could function on rational, scientific principles without the need for divine morality. But in practice, secularism has had a tough time in the U.S., because for many, secularism can’t fulfill the moral void that religion offers.
Modernism’s Role in the American Secular Experience
The rise of modernity (and its secular promises) can’t fully replace the moral coherence that religion provides to many Americans. This tension exists because, frankly, for a lot of people, secularism is like a smartphone with no Wi-Fi. It just doesn’t work for those craving moral and spiritual guidance. (Source: Bellah, “Civil Religion in America”)
The Role of Religion in Daily Life - based on the book, bit oversimplified, a list (elaborated later)
- Formal Practices Over Theological Strictness
- Private Nature of Belief
- Morality and Comfort
How do Americans’ religious practices vary in terms of commitment?
They range from casual participation in services to deep adherence to religious doctrines, reflecting a diverse spectrum of engagement.
o Many Americans compartmentalize religion, associating it with Sunday services and occasional participation in activities like Bible study or community service.
o Less emphasis is placed on strict theological adherence; instead, religion often serves as a moral and emotional framework.
In my view: often superficialities, rituals, formalities and all the “frills” –> brilliant anti-thesis of Puritanism
Is discussing religion in public considered intrusive in the U.S.?
Traditionally, yes. However, contemporary issues have brought religious discussions into the public sphere, making them more common and sometimes contentious.
What roles does religion play for many Americans?
It serves as a source of moral guidance and provides emotional support during crises, though secular sources also fulfill these roles for others.
What is Robert Bellah’s “Civil Religion” theory?
Bellah’s theory suggests that America has a form of religious belief that transcends specific denominations, creating a secular religion centered on national identity, moral values, and divine destiny.
Who introduced the idea of America as a “city upon a hill,” and why is it significant?
John Winthrop introduced this idea, signifying America’s perceived destiny to be a moral example to the world, forming a foundational concept for American civil religion.
What elements are central to America’s civil religion?
Reverence for the Constitution, the flag, the notion of manifest destiny, and phrases like “In God We Trust” serve as sacred symbols and rituals in American civil religion.
What is American Exceptionalism, and how does it connect to civil religion?
American Exceptionalism is the belief that the U.S. is uniquely divinely favored, shaping its role as a moral leader and influencing foreign and domestic policies through civil religion.
How does manifest destiny tie into American civil religion?
Manifest destiny reinforces the belief that America has a divine right to expand and lead, feeding into the narrative of being a chosen nation with a sacred mission.
What do Americans “worship” in civil religion?
Key symbols like the flag, the Constitution, and national myths (e.g., the Pilgrims, Founding Fathers) are revered, much like sacred texts and icons in traditional religions.
What constitutes heresy in American civil religion?
Criticizing foundational myths, symbols (e.g., kneeling during the national anthem), or opposing the belief in American exceptionalism can label one a heretic within this civil framework.
How does today’s Protestantism fit with Trump’s nationalist rhetoric?
Trump’s rhetoric blends Protestant moralism with nationalist fervor, treating allegiance to both religion and national identity as sacred, casting dissenters as betrayers of both church and state.
