Definition:
Although it was first used by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his book The Social
Contract (1762), it was made popular in the United States by sociologist
Robert N. Bellah in 1967 - since then, its meaning has been a matter of great
controversy and debate. Usually a civil religion consists of some set of symbols
and rituals, often connected with religion, which help provide solidarity and
even a sense of awe to a social system. There is widespread agreement that civil
religion in America stems from two different sources: Puritanism and Greco-Roman
politics.
As to the first, the Puritans regarded themselves as a "new Israel," repeating the biblical story of Exodus by establishing a "City on the Hill" which would serve as a moral and religious beacon for the rest of the world. This righteous society was destined by God to accomplish great things and defeat evil - an idea which found considerable political expression in the concept of Manifest Destiny. Although the religious aspects of this vision have lessened over time in the words of various politicians, they have not disappeared altogether and its basic ideas remain prominent in American social and political life.
As to the second, Greco-Roman politics, the important players in the American Revolution were very self-conscious in their attempts to imitate the republican and democratic ideals they saw in ancient Greece and Rome. Examples of this include the forms of architecture common to many government buildings and memorials and the use of Latin phrases for certain slogans (like e pluribus unum). Thus, a wide variety of words, symbols and ideas were deliberately borrowed from the ancient world - thus, even though the United States was a very young country, it could lay claim to a very ancient heritage, lending it political legitimacy in addition the religious legitimacy established above.
The degree to which people actively experience these ideas has always been a matter of debate, but it appears that they are experienced and expressed much more strongly in times of crisis - particularly in times of war. Since the very beginnings, both European and Native American forces were viewed as threats to the stability and future of American society, and thus it was argued that an important aspect of being an American was not simply living a life of freedom, but also being willing to take up arms to ensure that others got the same opportunities.
Thus, the identification of evil forces which the country can oppose has become an integral part of what it means to be an American. The defeat of forces of evil is what allows the United States to retain its image as a beacon of hope for the oppressed around the world. The establishment of free political systems in place of totalitarian systems is what allows the United States to maintain its legitimate link to the ancient republican and democratic traditions. The role of "enemy" has, at various times, been filled by Native Americans, imperial European powers, the Nazis, the communists and, today, world terrorism.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.
