Civilisation des Etats-Unis-9 Religion Prof Sämi Ludwig Université

Civilisation des Etats-Unis-9 Religion Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France)

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) 1 The Religious Diversity A. No Official Religion - Constitution prohibits a national religion liberal founding fathers vs. European past! separation of church and state ≠ laïcité! Flee persecution: PA Quakers; ML Catholics; RI, CT Puritan dissenters; UT Mormons… no church hierarchy (of course!) over 200 denominations B. Puritans’ Legacy 1608 Mayflower; 1620 Arabella, John Winthrop’s sermon: build a “city on a hill” Protestant work ethic

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) C. “One nation Under God” - importance of religion: church over state! religions national mottoes: “In God We Trust” President’s oath sworn on the Bible politicians’ speeches only 1962 abolish prayers in public schools - social integration, community life - Black community: MLK (Martin Luther King), Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan - great power of religious right “creationism” or “intelligent design” Bible theme parks

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) D. Religion, Class and Race ≠ colorblind, often racially segregated churches - “elite” denomination Episcopalians - less wealthy Methodists and Baptists - working class Roman Catholics 2. The Leading Religions A. The Protestant Denominations 55%, over 200 denominations: Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopal, Congregational = mainline churches vs. “Pentecostal” Churches evangelists - Mennonites, Amish (Lancaster County, PA)

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) B. The Roman Catholic Church 24% (62 million) - colony of Maryland (Toleration Act, GB Catholics) - Irish immigrants; later Italians nativist opposition - negative image lost in 1960 s: President JFK (John F. Kennedy) - not conservative: birth control, divorce C. Judaism - first Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal (West) - 20 th c. : large numbers of Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe (freeing progroms) 2% (6 million), mainly East Coast and Florida NYC is largest Jewish city in the world (!)

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) - most important diaspora communities Anti-Defamation League - survival of Israel: strong lobby in media, politics fundraising - very much integrated (are “white”), intermarry D. Islam about 3 million, fast growing immigrants from Muslim countries Black Muslims, Nation of Islam = African American converts: new names (Malcolm X, Muhammed Ali) after 9/11: association with terrorism

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) 3. Sect and Cults A. Mormons = LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints) 1830 founded by Joseph Smith; 1847 Brigham Young takes them to Salt Lake City, UT lead by “prophet” and 12 apostles - economic success (Mitt Romney) - gave up polygamy - no smoking, no alcohol, 10% to church B. Quakers founded in GB by George Fox Society of Friends economic success William Penn, Pennsylvania (PA) 1947 Nobel Peace Prize! (anti-slavery)

Prof. Sämi Ludwig Université de Haute Alsace Mulhouse (France) 4. Televangelism and Megachurches 1950 s Billy Graham: use radio and TV radio stations, TV channels - narrow interpretation of Bible Pat Robertson (Christian Broadcasting Network) Oral Roberts University Jerry Falwell moral majority Jim and Tamy Bakker resigned, affairs, scandals: repent! fight evil = communism, abortion, homosexualit = “born again Christians” (pentecostal experience!) Megachurches with thousands of members Crystal Cathedral