This is the most accessible description of civil religion I've read, and I'm very familiar with Robert Bellah's seminal work on the topic. I taught an online class on American exceptionalism which I inherited and proceeded over the years to evolve from an indoctrination course to a critical examination of the topic. I would have definitely offered this article as a reading assignment for one of the modules. If you have time, I also recommend John D. Wilsey's book, "American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea."
I live in Thailand, a country that is Buddhist in nearly all aspects of life and governance....What you have written, resonates even here, in my adopted home.
Yours is a false analogy, vis á vis the US. Here, while we owe a responsibility to our country, as citizens, we do not serve our country in the way one might serve a religion. Our country serves us, its citizens. As far as a choice, it is clear. We do not have a theocracy in the US, and our constitution guarantees both freedom of and from religion. US citizens cannot claim that their religious belief supersedes the fundamentals of the Constitution. Yes, the US Constitution makes some allowances for religious faith and provides a degree of protection for minorities, but one cannot claim that religious belief means one can ignore the Constitution at will, to the detriment of one's fellow citizens.
Solid work. There is a difference between the religions, as well. At least there should be. Sadly, politics has found it's way into the Body of Christ. Rarely does doctrine split a church; it's most always personalities.
I find the idea of Civil Religion to be untenable. It is, if anything, nothing more than an attempt to rationalize a deity centered religion, as an acceptable shadow foundation for the nation. A deity centered religion ultimately relies on a fixed epistemology and can only lead to totalitarianism. Witness the current state of affairs with so-called Christian Nationalists powering the Political Right adherents who are more than willing to allow a dominating devil named Donald Trump to lead the country to illiberalism. Religion is the crux of the super-majority of civilization's social problems.
This is the most accessible description of civil religion I've read, and I'm very familiar with Robert Bellah's seminal work on the topic. I taught an online class on American exceptionalism which I inherited and proceeded over the years to evolve from an indoctrination course to a critical examination of the topic. I would have definitely offered this article as a reading assignment for one of the modules. If you have time, I also recommend John D. Wilsey's book, "American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea."
What a remarkable discussion. This is the first time I have felt like something can truly improve in our "God AND Country".
I've been listening to this podcast for a few months and immediately thought of you when l heard today's episode! If you get a chance, check it out!
Check out this Podcast: S4, Ep. 22: Inside the ReAwaken America tour https://player.fm/1BWaXTZ
I live in Thailand, a country that is Buddhist in nearly all aspects of life and governance....What you have written, resonates even here, in my adopted home.
Yours is a false analogy, vis á vis the US. Here, while we owe a responsibility to our country, as citizens, we do not serve our country in the way one might serve a religion. Our country serves us, its citizens. As far as a choice, it is clear. We do not have a theocracy in the US, and our constitution guarantees both freedom of and from religion. US citizens cannot claim that their religious belief supersedes the fundamentals of the Constitution. Yes, the US Constitution makes some allowances for religious faith and provides a degree of protection for minorities, but one cannot claim that religious belief means one can ignore the Constitution at will, to the detriment of one's fellow citizens.
Solid work. There is a difference between the religions, as well. At least there should be. Sadly, politics has found it's way into the Body of Christ. Rarely does doctrine split a church; it's most always personalities.
I find the idea of Civil Religion to be untenable. It is, if anything, nothing more than an attempt to rationalize a deity centered religion, as an acceptable shadow foundation for the nation. A deity centered religion ultimately relies on a fixed epistemology and can only lead to totalitarianism. Witness the current state of affairs with so-called Christian Nationalists powering the Political Right adherents who are more than willing to allow a dominating devil named Donald Trump to lead the country to illiberalism. Religion is the crux of the super-majority of civilization's social problems.