“Civil religion” phrase comes from the book “The Social Contract” by Rousseau. In his book, Rousseau’s argument is that overall, civil religion recognizes four broad aspects; firstly, that God exists; secondly, there is life ahead; thirdly, virtue earns reward while vice attracts punishment; and finally the exclusivity concept of intolerance by religion. Central to civil religion in America is sets of collected symbols, beliefs, and rituals regarding sacred things which are collectively institutionalized.
The characteristics of civil religion in America include the following; one, God the Almighty is central and Unitarian, focuses on law, order and the rights of the people though He was not defined relatively to salvation and love. God has been recognized, by the founding data or documents, to be active in the history of America. Secondly, the centrality of America is attributed to the fact that it is seen to be a new Israel and therefore it can either be punished or rewarded. Thirdly, civil religion anchors on sacred and historical events such as Civil War and American Revolution. Fourth, it contains sacred scriptures including the constitution and independence declaration as well as having holy martyrs and heroes like Lincoln and Washington. It also puts the focus on sacrifice as a sacred theme. There are also sacred places such as cemeteries, battlefields and the capital with rituals practicing on holy days, such as Thanksgiving Day, Memorial, July 4, and Veterans Day.
When best practiced, civil religion is a real apprehension of transcendent and universal religious honesty, as is manifested via the experiences by American people. American civil religion is neither militantly secular nor anticlerical, but it draws from the ancient American religious traditions. Even though at times American people do not agree with civil religion, but sometimes it upholds equal treatment on the face of acts that seem oppressive in nature. Civil religion in America has been exercising long-term forces aimed at solving human problems.
Civil Religion In America Essay Template For Faster Writing
Type of paper: Essay
Topic: Religion, United States, America, Holiness, God, People, In America, Literature
Pages: 2
Words: 350
Published: 03/08/2023
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