Paradoxical role of religion (really faith) in the US
“separation of church and state” yet overwhelming majority are believers

1998 Gallup Poll 95% of US residents say they believe in God – 2-3 times more than other Western nations

47% attend weekly church services (by far the highest rate among developed countries, e.g., UK less than 10%)

Why?  Why do Americans cling to their faith more ardently than citizens of other post-industrial countries??

1) political culture
2) immigrant influence
3) other explanations??
 

“Civil religion” – Bellah’s term for US shared belief system incorporating all religious elements into “a sanctification and celeberation of the American way of life” (Parillo, 511)

Examples of America civil religion in practice:
Pledge of Allegiance “under God” phrase
In God We Trust on money
Pyramid (trinity) and eye (of God) on dollar bills
Congress opens sessions with prayer; has chaplain
Politicians organize and attend prayer breakfasts, attend church regularly
Refer to God in speeches, state of the union address, inaugural address
Oaths of office, “swearing in” ceremonies, courtroom oaths
Graduation ceremonies
Municipal holiday displays funded by taxpayers
Scouting

First Amendment “freedom of relgion”
Specifically:

The Establishment Clause:  that the state will not establish a religion
Court:  Does it imply a “excessive entanglement” of government and religion

Free exercise Clause: Neither shall the state prohibit the free exercise of religion
This is used to excuse Amish from compulsory education, allow for conscientious objections to military service

Current controversies
Kicked out a boy scout who is an atheist out recently
Fed Ct recently ordered 10 Commandments taken down from in front of AL courthouse
Creationism debate – 1999 Board of Education for state of KS instituted policy of omitting evolution from science curricula.  New board is taking steps to reinstitute it after state got lowest marks in country for teaching science.
 
 

Yet there is the perception that we are “godless” among some religious fundamentalists (e.g. Osama bin Laden and Al Queda)

Where does this perception come from?  Is it warranted or is it just a demonization of US culture?