Religion in America

1. Religion in America

2. Differences • Europe • Generally religion was determined by the ruler of the region (Catholic, Reformed, Anglican, Lutheran) • Religious tolerance developed 18th/19th centuries, but obstacles remain • America • More diverse and tolerant (with exceptions) • More pragmatic/experiential in religion

3. Tensions in American religion • Freedom/tolerance vs. practice in public life • 1st Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” • Unity vs. diversity • Pragmatism vs. intellectualism • Individual spirituality vs. group identity • Founding history vs. new events • Revelations, religious movements, waves of immigrants • Protestant vs. Catholic

4. America: A Religious Nation? • Yes • Higher average weekly church attendance (50-60%) than Europe • Religious motivation of colonists • Free practice of religion protected by 1st Amendment • And No • No one religion can be established by gov’t (1st Amendment) • Many founding fathers, like Jefferson, were Deists and favored natural religion • Jefferson created his own version of the Bible, cutting out miracle stories and supernatural elements (The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth) • Thus, the Puritan story is different from the founding father’s vision and the Constitution

5. Puritans • Strict Calvinists in England • Persecuted by Anglican majority • [Catholics also persecuted by Anglican majority] • Set up their own religious society and gov’t • Winthrop • Uses Old Testament imagery (recalls God’s covenant with Israel) • Role is to be a witness to others

6. American Religion: Revivals • 1740s: First Great Awakening • Usually on frontier, where churches and ministers were rare • Gathering included songs, preaching, and “altar calls” • Purpose: conversion experience • Move people’s emotions

7. Images of American Piety and “Founding Fathers”