THE RELIGIOUS HERITAGE OF THE UNITED STATES:

STRENGTHENING AMERICAN CULTURAL VALUES

1 The United States is and has always of opportunity, competition, material
been a religious nation, by a number of wealth, and hard work. These values
measures. Ninety percent of Americans developed in and were strengthened by the
still say they believe in God, or a higher nation's religious heritage. Several of these
power/universal spirit, although their values-individual freedom, self-reliance,
beliefs and practices are quite diverse. material wealth, and hard work-were
The majority of Americans are Christian, particularly affected. In this chapter, we
but all the major religions of the world will first examine how the historical
are practiced in the United States. In context shaped the nation's religious
some parts of the country, large numbers heritage and helped produce and reinforce
of people belong to churches and many these cultural values. Then we will look
attend worship services more than once a at how these values affect the religious
week. Other areas are more secular, with landscape today.
fewer people who are active in churches.
3 From the beginning, religion played an
Increasingly, young people do not belong
important role in the history of the United
to any church or other religious group, but
States. The Catholic faith was first brought
most still say they believe in God. Many
to the North American continent by the
refer to themselves as being "spiritual," not
Spanish in the 1500s. For the next 300
"religious."
years, Catholic missionaries and settlers
from Spain and then Latin America
RELIGIOUS PREFERENCES IN THE UNITED STATES
came to what is now Florida,
California, and the Southwest.
Unaffiliated 20%
Many of the cities were named by
these missionaries and settlers-St.
Augustine, San Francisco, Santa
Other Fe, and San Antonio, for example.
religions 5%
French Canadian Catholic
Jewish 2% missionaries also came with the
Other Christian explorers and traders from Quebec,
3%
down the Mississippi River to New
Orleans. In the 1600s, European
settlers began establishing colonies
Roman Catholic 22% along the east coast of North
America. Although there were
some Catholics, the vast majority
2 The landscape of religion in America is of the European settlers were Protestants,
complicated and constantly changing, most from England. As the new nation
but it has always been a very important formed, it was the Protestant branch of
aspect of the culture. In Chapter 2 we the Christian faith that had the strongest
introduced six basic cultural values- effect on the development of the religious
individual freedom, self-reliance, equality climate in the United States.

54 * Chapter 3
The Development of Protestantism began to form separate churches, called
4 The Protestant branch of the Christian denominations. (The traditional Protestant
faith broke away from the Roman Catholic denominations in the United States are
Church in Europe in the sixteenth century Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian,
because of important differences in Episcopal, and United Church of Christ).
religious beliefs. (The Eastern Orthodox There was much bitterness among some
branch of the Christian faith had separated of the religious groups in the 1600s,
from the Roman Catholic Church in and many Protestant denominations
1054.) At the time of the Protestant experienced religious persecution. 2 A
Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church number of people were even killed
was the center of
religious life in
western European
countries; the
Catholic pope and
the priests played
the role of parent
to the people in
spiritual matters.
They told people
what was right
and wrong, and
they granted them
forgiveness for
sins 1 against God
and the Christian
faith.
5 The Protestants, Americans at worship in a Christian church
on the other hand,
insisted that all individuals must stand because of their beliefs. The result of this
alone before God. If people sinned, they persecution was that many Protestants
should seek their forgiveness directly from were ready to leave their native countries
God rather than from a priest speaking in order to have freedom to practice their
in God's name. In place of the power and particular religious beliefs. Consequently,
authority of priests, Protestants substituted among the early settlers who came to
what they called the "priesthood of America in the 1600s, there were many
all believers." This meant that every Protestants seeking religious freedom.
individual was solely responsible for his or
7 In the previous chapter we noted that this
her own relationship with God.
desire for religious freedom was one of the
6 After the Protestants broke away from strongest reasons why many colonial
the Catholic Church, they found that they settlers came to America. Generally
could not agree among themselves about speaking, the lack of any established
many beliefs. Therefore, the Protestants national religion in America appealed

1
sins: things someone does that are against religious laws
2
persecution: cruel or unfair treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs

The American Religious Heritage * 55

~------------------

'
strongly to European Protestants, whether 1o Perhaps the most dramatic example of the
or not they were being persecuted. A large idea of self-improvement is the experience
number of Protestant denominations were of being "born again." Individuals who
established in America. At first, some have had this experience say that opening
denominations hoped to force their views their hearts to God and Jesus Christ
and beliefs on others, but the colonies were changed their lives so completely that it
simply too large for any one denomination was like being born again. Many
to gain control over the others. The idea of evangelicals, or religious conservatives,
separation of church and state became believe this is an important experience to
accepted. have.
8 When the Constitution was adopted in 11 The need for self-improvement has
1789, the government was forbidden reached far beyond self-improvement in
to establish a national church; no the purely moral or religious sense. Today
denomination was to be favored over the it can be seen in countless books that offer
others. The government and the church advice to people on how to stop smoking,
had to remain separate, and freedom lose weight, or have better relationships.
of religion was guaranteed by the first Books of this type often offer advice on
amendment. Under these conditions, how to be happier and more successful
a great variety of different Protestant in life. They are referred to as "self-help"
denominations developed and grew, with books, and many are best sellers. They are
each denomination having a "live and let the natural products of a culture in which
live" attitude toward the others. Diversity people believe that "God helps those who
was accepted and strengthened. Today, the help themselves."
various Protestant denominations have
completely separate church organizations, Material Success, Hard Work, and Self-
and although there are many similarities, Discipline
there are also significant differences in 12 The achievement of material success
their religious teachings and beliefs. is probably the most widely respected
form of self-improvement in the United
Self-Reliance and the Protestant Heritage States. Many scholars believe that the
of Self-Improvement nation's Protestant heritage is also largely
9 Protestantism has been a powerful force responsible for bringing this about. The
in shaping the values and beliefs of idea of mixing materialism and religion
Americans. One of the most important may seem contradictory; religion is
values associated with American considered to be concerned w ith spiritual
Protestantism is the value of self- matters, not material possessions. How can
improvement, an outgrowth of self- the two mix?
reliance. Christianity often emphasizes
13 Some of the early European Protestant
the natural sinfulness of human nature.
leaders believed that people who were
However, unlike Catholics, Protestants do
blessed by God might be recognized
not go to priests for forgiveness of their
in the world by their material success.
sins; individuals are left alone before God
Other church leaders, particularly in the
to improve themselves and ask for God's
United States, made an even stronger
guidance, forgiveness, and grace. For this
connection between gaining material
reason, Protestantism has traditionally
wealth and being blessed by God. In 1900,
encouraged a strong and restless desire for
for example, Bishop William Lawrence
self-improvement.

56 * Chapter 3
 AVERAGE NUMBER OF PAID VACATION DAYS

42
37
34

28
26
23

13

Italy France Brazil United Canada 'Japan United

Kingdom States

Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Information Please® Database,© 2007 Pearson
Educati on, Inc. Al l rights reserved.

proclaimed, 4 "Godliness is in league with 5 which depended on hard work and a

riches .... Material prosperity is helping to willingness to save and invest money.
make the national character sweeter, more
:l5 The belief in hard work and self-discipline
joyous, more unselfish, more Christlike."
in pursuit of material gain and other goals
14 American religious leaders, however, never is often referred to as "the Protestant work
encouraged the idea of gaining wealth ethic" or "the Puritan work ethic." It is
without hard work and self-discipline. important to understand that this work
Many scholars believe that the emphasis ethic has had an influence far beyond
on these two values made an important the Protestant church. Many religious
contribution to the industrial growth groups in the United States share this
of the United States. Protestant leaders work ethic, and even Americans who have
viewed the work of all people as holy, no attachment to a particular church are
not just that of priests. They also believed influenced by the work ethic in their daily
that the capacity for self-discipline was lives. Interestingly, the United States is
a holy characteristic blessed by God. the only industrialized country that does
Self-discipline was often defined as the not have a legal requirement for workers
willingness to save and invest one's to have a certain number of paid vacation
money rather than spend it on immediate days. Americans take an average of only
pleasures. John Wesley, the leader of the two weeks of vacation time a year, while
Methodist faith, told his followers, "Earn workers in other countries take as many
all you can, give all you can, save all you as four, five, or even more weeks. Also,
can." Encouraging people to save may also many Americans who could retire at age
have helped create a good climate for the 65 or 66 continue to work for more years.
· industrial growth of the United States, Many Americans are proud to be called

4
proclaimed: said publically or officially that something is true
5
in league with: working together secretly

The American Religious Heritage * 57

 "workaholics," people who work long build public libraries in thousands of
hours, often seven days a week. communities in the United States. John D.
Rockefeller, another famous businessman,
Volunteerism and Humanitarianism in explaining why he gave a large sum
16 The idea of self-improvement includes from his private fortune to establish a
more than achieving material gain university, said, "The good Lord gave me
through hard work and self-discipline. my money, so how could I withhold it
It also includes the idea of improving from the University of Chicago?" Julius
oneself by helping others. Individuals, in Rosenwald, part-owner of the Sears
other words, make themselves into better Roebuck company, helped pay for the
persons by contributing some of their time building of 5,000 black schools in the
or money to charitable, educational, or rural South. In the twenty-first century,
religious causes that are designed to help Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and other
others. The philosophy is sometimes called wealthy Americans have established
volunteerism or humanitarianism. charitable foundations and have donated
huge sums of money. Traditionally, many
17 Historically, some extremely wealthy
average Americans have also agreed that
Americans have made generous
they should devote part of their time and
contributions to help others. In the early
wealth to religious or humanitarian causes.
1900s, for example, Andrew Carnegie,
Their motivation may be part idealism
a famous American businessman, gave
and part self-improvement, a desire to be
away more than $300 million to help
acceptable in the eyes of God and also in
support schools and universities and to
the eyes of other Americans.

Volunteers clean up trash.

58 *-: Chapter 3
 18 The spirit of charitable giving and the American flag-in the windows of
volunteerism continues in America their houses, on their cars, even on their
today Some religious faiths believe clothing. Crowds spontaneously sang
that it is the responsibility of their "God Bless America," a patriotic song
members to contribute 10 percent of that is more popular (and much easier to
what they earn to their church and other sing) than the natio~al anthem, along with
charities. Incidentally, individuals may "America the Beautiful" and "My Country
get tax deductions for giving money to 'Tis of Thee."
charity. This spirit of giving can be seen
outside religious contexts as well. Many
businesses encourage their employees
to do volunteer work, such as helping
clean up parks, helping a child who is
having difficulty in school, or working
in an animal shelter in their spare time.
Parents often try to teach their children

l
that they have a responsibility to help
others. A recent Parents magazine had a
cover story advising parents how to "raise
a child who gives back." The article said
that children should be taught the value
of volunteering, including giving money
to charity "Volunteering boosts kids' self-
esteem and teaches them to be grateful,"
the article promised, a good illustration of
the American mixture of idealism and self-
improvement.

September I I, 200 I, and the National

Religion
19 All Americans and many people around
the world can remember exactly what Firefighters stand at a memorial to those killed at the World
they were doing at the moment they Trade Center.
heard that terrorists had attacked the
World Trade Center and the Pentagon 20 This mixture of religion and patriotism
on September 11, 2001. People in New is an example of what some scholars
York City and Washington, D.C., were have called the "national religion" of the
especially devastated. Everyone knew United States. The roots of the national
someone who was touched by the tragedy. religion go back to colonial times. In
Immediately, there was an outpouring of the countries from which the American
love, charity, and patriotism around the colonists emigrated, the dominant values
country So many people volunteered to of the nation were often supported by
help that officials had to limit the numbers. an organized national church. Although
Millions of dollars were raised for the Americans made certain that no organized
families of the victims, and Americans felt national church would exist in their
a huge surge of pride and love for their young country, they have, over the years,
country Eighty percent of them displayed developed a number of informal practices

The American Religious Heritage * 59

--- - - ---- ------------
 that combine national patriotism with decision to wage war, for example, and
religion. The main function of this other Americans accused them of being
national religion is to provide support for unpatriotic. This happened during the war
the dominant values of the nation and in Vietnam, when protesters were told,
comfort in times of grief. Thus, it does in ..America-love it, or leave it." A similar
an informal and less organized way what division of opinion occurred over the US.
nationally organized churches did for decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
European nations in earlier times.
The Religious Landscape Today:
21 Some observers of American society
Polarization Vs. Pluralism
believe that the various practices that
are called the national religion can have 22 The religious landscape in the United
harmful effects, however. Sometimes these States is complicated and changing. In
practices can help to create a climate in American Grace: How Religion Divides and
which disagreement with current national Unites Us, Robert D. Putnam and David E.
practices is discouraged or not tolerated. Campbell discuss two forces at work in the
There have been times when citizens United States today: religious polarization
have disagreed with their government's and pluralism. There is growing
polarization between evangelicals, or
religious conservatives, and secular liberals.
Increasingly, Americans find themselves at
one end of the spectrum or another, while
the number of moderates in the middle
decreases. Evangelicals believe in strictly
following the teachings of the Bible (as
they and the church leaders interpret it)
and regularly attending worship services.
They are socially (and often politically)
more conservative than religious
moderates or liberals. They may be against
abortion and gay marriage, for example,
and they may believe in creationism
instead of evolution. The debate between
religious conservatives and liberals can
grow quite heated. Some commentators
have even described this split as .. culture
wars." However, Putnam and Campbell
say there is another force at work:
America peacefully combines a high
degree of religious devotion with
tremendous religious diversity- including
growing ranks of the nonreligious . .. .
How can religious pluralism coexist with
religious polarization? The answer lies in
the fact that, in America, religion is highly
fluid. ... Religions compete, adapt and
evolve as individual Americans freely move
Firefighters hang a giant American flag over the side of the from one congregation to another, and
American Express tower. even from one religion to another.

60 * Chapter 3
23 What American value has allowed East Asia-Daoism, Confucianism, and
religio~s pluralism to coexist with Shintoism. And the Native American
religious polarization? The fundamental religions are still practiced and studied
American belief in individual freedom and today, particularly for their teachings about
the right of individuals to practice their living in harmony with nature.
own religion is at the center of religious
24 The Census of American Religious
experience in the United States. The
Congregations has been tracking 236
great diversity of ethnic backgrounds has
different religions in the United Btates,
produced a climate of religious pluralism,
from Albanian Orthodox to Zoroastrian,
and most of the religions of the world
every ten years. They report in the latest
are now practiced here. Although the
census that Muslims (Islam) and Mormons
overwhelming majority of Americans
(Church of the Latter-day Saints) are two
are Christians, other religions and people
of the fastest growing religious groups in
from other cultures make important
the country. Between 2000 and 2010, the
contributions to the religious landscape.
number of Muslims grew by 66 percent
There are now about as many Muslims
and the number of Mormons grew by 44
living in the United States as there are
percent, while the number of Protestants
Jews. People of Hispanic origin now
fell by 5 percent to below 50 percent of
make up nearly one-half of the Catholic
the population for the first time. (There
Church here. In addition to Buddhism and
are also estimates of about one million
Hinduism, Asian immigrants have brought
Buddhists and Hindus.) Remembering that
with them other traditional religions of
the total population of the United States is
now over 310 million, here are America's
top 10 religions:
1. Catholic 58.9 million
2. Baptist 27.2 million
3. Methodist 12.2 million
4. Non-denominational
Evangelical Protestant 12.2 million
5. Lutheran 7.2 million
6. Latter-day Saints
(Mormons) 6.4 million
7. Pentecostal 5.8 million
8. Presbyterian Reformed 5.0 million
9. Islam (Muslims) 2.6 million
10. Judaism (Jews) 2.3 million*
*Source: The Association ofReligion Data Archives

25 One of the most dramatic developments

in recent years is the rapid rise in the
number of people who say they have no
religious affiliation. Almost 20 percent
of adults and one third of those under 30
do not consider themselves to be a part
American Muslims at prayer of any particular church or faith. They

The American Religious Heritage * 61

 are referred to as the unaffiliated, or the Religious Diversity in the United States:
"nones" (since they choose "none" when A Spiritual Kaleidoscope 6
asked about their religious affiliation), and
28 This chapter began with the assertion that
now number 49 million. Interestingly, 68
the United States has been and still is a
percent of them say that they believe in
religious country, but that the religious
God, but they have no desire to be part
landscape is complicated and changing. The
of organized religion. Often they refer
historical "live and let live" tolerance of
to themselves as being "spiritual, but not
early Protestant faiths has led to a modern
religious." They are more liberal and more
acceptance of diverse religions by most
secular than Americans who are affiliated
Americans. Although there are some who
with some religious group.
are intolerant and would disagree, the
26 Another important development is the majority of Americans believe that there
decline in the membership of traditional are many paths to God and their particular
mainline Protestant churches. In the list religion is not the only valid faith. The
of top ten faiths above, only four are traditional lines drawn between members
traditional Protestant denominations of different religions have broken down so
(Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and that Americans frequently marry people of
Presbyterian). Mainline churches tend to different faiths. This is especially true of
be moderate and more liberal than the younger Americans. More and more people
evangelicals and religious conservatives, work with, live near, and are friends with
with the exception of the Baptist people of different cultures and faiths. This
Church. Most Baptists are evangelicals. has created a spiritual kaleidoscope, where
(Pentecostals are evangelicals, too, but they people move between faiths, sometimes
are not generally considered as traditional creating their own collection of beliefs
mainline Protestants.). drawn from a number of different religious
traditions.
27 There has also been a rise in the number of
non-denominational evangelical Protestants. 29 The belief that the individual, not the
These churches are not affiliated with organized church, should be the center of
a traditional Protestant denomination religious life has encouraged a tolerance
and are often community churches and acceptance of all faiths by most
organized by dynamic religious leaders. Americans. Most also believe that religious
Some of them are "megachurches." Rick freedom must be protected-that everyone
Warren's Saddleback Church in Orange has the right to practice his or her own
County, California, which was founded religion without interference by the
in 1980, now has 100,000 members and government or anyone else. America's
an average weekend attendance of over religious heritage see~s to have encouraged
20,000. Megachurches have contemporary certain basic values that members of many
worship services and often focus on diverse faiths find easy to accept. This has
helping people live "happy, fulfilled helped to unite many different religious
Christian lives," a modern message of groups in the United States without
self-improvement. They are an example requiring any to abandon their faiths.
of how some American churches have Cultural and religious pluralism has also
evolved and adapted to meet changing created a context of tolerance that further
needs, particularly of young people. strengthens the American reality of many
different religions living peacefully within
a single nation.
6
kaleidoscope: colors or patterns that change quickly

62 *: Chapter 3