How Does Religion Shape American Culture

In Chapter 10 of Religion and Popular Culture in America, Joseph L. Price attempts to show sports as an example of popular culture as religion, because of its ability to shape the engagement of their fans and the fan’s environments. Although the majority of fans do not see sports as coming close to being a religion, Price gives several compelling reasons as to why sports are religion.

Spirituality is one of the most important aspects of life to some communities, cultures, and nations. People who believe in God usually become more spiritual as they age. In American societies, the mosques and churches have older people than younger people. In most cases, we become more spiritual or at least start looking for religious answers when we are faced with a death in the family. In a study by Moremen,(2005), 26 older women who had not experienced a life changing even or recent death in their families were interviewed on their views in terms of “their place” in society” and the “order of things”. None of the participants were facing a terminal illness. The majority stated that they wanted to understand things and were looking towards

Race and religion are two concepts in American culture that can really tie people together, or clearly separate them apart. A group forged by strong common roots in both race and religion can be a powerful societal force, if it wants to be. The Nation of Islam is a small but growing religion in America that has become somewhat of a social movement because of its strong and radical ideas on race. In this paper, I will try to explore the beliefs of the Nation of Islam, and the ramifications it could and has had on racial relations in America. The Nation of Islam, or NOI, is a relatively new religion. The first temple of Islam was established in Detroit by Master Fard Muhammed in 1930. Much

Major religions dating back 4,000 years have served as institutions that bring individuals together in the form of communities that share similar morals, ideals, and customs. Religion greatly affects individual behavior both positively and negatively because of how important of a role it plays in many lives. Smidt (1999) notes that religious institutions act as a societal framework that provides a variety of services such as guidance, physical care, and social networks. It is at these institutions where individuals are first introduced to ideas about ethics, values, and customs. Thus, officials within each religion have an important role in shaping how their congregates view the world. Many religious institutions serve as the center of a particular

Even though, George W. Bush had become, like some of his great predecessors, the voice of inspiration and hope for freedom not only in America, but in all over the world, he had received many critics for his religious contribution on American politics. In the light of this quotation, Noll shows that the second victory of President Bush was somehow astonishing when we noticed the crucial role of the white evangelical Protestants plays in his second term. Additionally, this quotation shows that if there were no evangelicals’ support, the President would not win the election, it also; strengthens the value of religion and its place in the American political life.

In early American history, religion played a key role in the lives of everyday citizens. Many people migrated to America to find the freedom to express their own religion without being criticized. In the beginning the major religion practiced was Puritanism, however as time went on other religions evolved causing Puritanism to disappear and many followers of this religion to evangelize to try to save their religion.

The United States is one of the most religious nations in the world. A majority of the population participates in organized religion and others are privately spiritual. The role of religion plays out in our nation constantly.

The United States is an extremely diverse country representing a “melting pot” of different nationalities, cultures, and religions. Religion has played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. as religious freedom was the primary reason for many immigrants leaving their home countries and journeying to America. The religion that we adopt or are taught affects us on both a small scale in our daily lives and personal beliefs as well as on large scale as a society. While the influence of religion has affected us in a positive way it has also created many obstacles, including impeding the growth of society as a whole.

There are a number of religious practices have been around for thousands of years, that are now facing criticism for some out dated or dangerous practices. These groups feel it is important to keep traditions alive, which is justifiable. The government has no right to tell anyone how he or she is allowed to practice the religion that an individual chooses to be a part of. The first amendment even guarantees that the government will never restrict a person’s religious freedoms. If a man or woman feels closer to God by holding a rattle snake, why stop him? This is the land of the free, and any citizen should be allowed to practice their preferred religion, in the fashion is has always been done in. However, when someone religious believes starts hurting that person or other, then the government should take action to put an end to these traditions

Have you ever felt like your religious beliefs are being compromised in order to protect others? The First Amendment, which is part of the Bill of Rights, states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” (Bill of Rights Institute). Religious freedom is being able to live and speak about your own religious beliefs publicly and freely. The Founding Fathers had made it clear they wanted a separation between church and state, but America has taken religious freedom to the extreme. Everyday more and more people are becoming subject to increased restrictions on religion.“ Churches, faith groups, and religious individuals across the United States are reporting actions that are curtailing their religious freedom and conscience” (Church of Later Day Saints).

Nowadays, the United States stands out among Western nations for its high level of religiosity and also by the great diversity of churches and faiths. Much of this reflects on largely what it was in the times of the colonist because religions helped shape what it was the public life back then. Many settlers came from other countries such as England for various reasons; religion was one of the main ones. Religion was at the center of the public life and those disturbed by the conflicts, struggles and lack of freedom this generated saw in the United States a country to flee to achieve a fundamental goal; build in the new world a perfect society. There were people from many nations and of

I am certainly on the side, where i believe religious diversity and religious influence is not good for united states as a nation. I clearly believe that if one nation wants to be in union and synchronized with one another they should believe in one thing. I believe that religion can not be used in politics in general. As we all know there are many forms of religions in the world such as christianity, islam, judaism, buddhism, and etc. I am not stating that everyone in the united states should be believe in christ and become a christian or believe in allah and become muslim but to all believe that church and state should not influence each other. I believe that if we all can agree that church and state should not affect each other that we would

The influence of religion and spirituality on factors relating to an individual’s health behaviors has emerged as an area of interest for researchers, in recent years. Religiosity (formal and informal religious practice, both public and private) and spirituality (individual’s relationship to something sacred; meaning and values of one’s purpose) are regarded as having extensive influence on an individual’s cognitions, emotions and behaviors.

We live in a world of religious pluralism and human experience has taught us to respect others religion(s). Whether religion is unifying or dividing depends on how it is used. Religion can be unifying mainly because, no matter what religion you believe in, religion helps people cope with the problems and difficulties within their life and millions of people believe in it. Religion has been known to unify groups, tribes, peoples, and whole countries. Americans have been able to combine deep religious devotion with wide-ranging religious diversity, while continuing to be tolerant of one another. By making friends with someone with a religious faith other than your own can lead to warmer feelings for others of that same faith. With Americans religion

“American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us,” by Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell, and “America and the Challenges of Religious Diversity,” by Robert Wuthnow, give different thoughts to religion and politics in the United States. Putnam and Campbell utilize the concepts of shocks and aftershocks to highlight religious changes in the United States. On the other hand, Wuthnow uses observations to focus on the encounters of religious diversity in the United States. Wuthnow compares American Christianity with other popular religions in America and how Christianity has affected the perception of religion. Putnam and Campbell’s “American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us” is a more persuasive assessment of American religion and politics.