Cold War played significant roles in the convergence of American religion and politics
Question 1
Cold War played significant roles in the convergence of American religion and politics. Billy Graham embraced the Cold War during his numerous crusades. That night marked the first time for Billy the Evangelist to share his pulpit with Richard Nixon, the vice president. Nixon confirmed that even the politicians had a strong faith in God for their foundation. According to Stephen Prothero, a professor in religion, the vice president set an excellent example for all politicians to embrace spirituality in America.
Both religious and political leaders used religion to eliminate fear among Americans. Billy Graham said that faith in God would end any anxiety. Politicians stressed and encouraged on God’s power and protection. In the US postage, a message of trusting in God was conveyed, ensuring Americans that the Cold War would end. Believers were asked to turn to God whenever they feel threatened.
Question 2
Billy Graham gave the American a powerful religious message. He encouraged the Americans to embrace spiritual revival to turn back to God. He also inspired people to strengthen their faith in God. Graham stressed that communism would only be defeated once people rekindle their spiritual revival in God and be patriotic. His words show that the Cold War was immoral, and therefore he urged Americans not to rest until the battle with communism was over.
Graham’s message not only had an impact on believers but also caught the attention of the legend who tirelessly fought against communism, as illustrated by Rev. Randall Balmer. According to Balmer, a professor in the History of American Religion, the anti-communist legend instructed his newspapers to publish Billy Graham’s message. It is through the numerous publications of the word in the media that lead to the popularity of Graham’s motive to the Americans. Global media and individuals such as Edward R. Murrow recognized Billy Graham as the most potent evangelist hence helped pass his message to people.
Billy Graham became a spokesperson advocating for adequate national culture after the end of the war. He played a significant role in evangelism. His evangelicalism qualities are seen through his dominant Christianity values and patriotism. Graham, therefore, built an appealing relationship with those in power.
Question 3
The relationship between religion and democracy was developed through the excellent relationship that Graham created with the superiors. He had an opportunity to advise those in power that there was a need to settle on the denomination, as illustrated by Sarah Gordon, a historian of law and religion. Consequently, after the president was sworn in, he began the journey of believing in God. The president’s speech portrayed that politicians are members of religious civilization. Therefore, Graham concluded that religion was a sign of democracy, and they married the two.
There exists a contradiction between the marriage of religion and democracy and the separation of church and state. The two aspects had a differing motive to the Americans. The marriage aspect was a movement that brought unity and fostered a good relationship between evangelists and politicians. Conversely, the separation of church and state ignited a struggle in the American religion. Jack Kennedy, during the presidential campaign, openly said that the church and state should be absolute.
Question 4
The issue appealed to the supreme court by the atheist mother involved a complaint on city schools violating children’s rights through imposing religious teachings. James Terry McCollum was a student at one of the city schools which sent students out of the classroom to study on their own if they would decline religious studies. Once Terry McCollum’s mother learned about her son’s torture in school, she did not hesitate to sue the school board in a local court. Unfortunately, she lost the case and therefore decided to approach the supreme court.
Although the local court dismissed Mrs. McCollum’s case against city schools, the US supreme court overturned their ruling and upheld her fight. The court ruled in favor of the McCollum.
Several circumstances contributed to the ruling of the supreme court regarding the McCollum case. According to a widespread interpretation, there was an amendment that advocated for separation between church and state. The fact that the constitution did not allow public schools to use machinery in the enforcement of religion strengthen the court ruling. Historian Sarah Gordon also points out that the government was not mandated to provide religious education to children.
Question 5
There are several reasons why some Americans feared the prospect of a Catholic president. First, a Catholic president was feared to take over America. Secondly, Grant Wacker says that it was believed once if a Catholic president were in power, no American would compromise them. Lastly, a Catholic president would have a massive influence on politicians’ supporters and may favor some leaders over others.
The Catholic president used an active channel to address concerns raised by the Americans. Billy Graham wrote a letter, Jack Kennedy, during the campaign to calm the situation. After a few days, Graham convinced American administrators to hold a meeting aimed at discussing the presidential campaign and its impacts on Americans.
The Catholic president encouraged Americans to embrace religion since it is the only way out of oppression. He assured Americans of better benefits once they uphold guidelines provided by the Catholic president. Besides, the Catholic president would promote a good relationship between religion and democracy. Both white and black Americans were promised equal opportunities in the states.
Question 6
Martin Luther King, Jnr used his religious experience to accomplish social justice in America. He encouraged black Americans to advocate for their rights by preaching the gospel of freedom to them. In his teachings, he often challenged his fellow ministers in the articulation of civil rights. King also questioned religious leaders’ faith who seemed critical to his movement. Moreover, King added that any faithful minister who believes in Christ should be on the forefront fighting for equal rights for all Americans.
Martin Luther King Jnr had a different approach to political discourse. He launched demonstrations and protects in 1963 to pressure the president in legalizing the rights of black Americans to vote. King was driven by the ambition to achieve civil rights for the Negroes. He used his arrest as an opportunity to reach the president and wrote a letter expressing his disappointments in the American government led by Jack Kennedy.
Question 7
Several factors contributed to the rejection of political engagement by evangelicals. Evangelicals believed that they could adequately serve Americans away from the political arena. For decades, politics was viewed as immoral; therefore, evangelicals would not want to be associated with non-religious acts. Besides, evangelicals felt that their sole responsibility was preaching the gospel and saving lives.
Evangelicals reentered politics for various reasons. First, they felt the need to represent the less fortunate in the American government. Second, someone had to push for the implementation of civil rights, and religious ministers could effectively do this since they were bold leaders. Third, evangelicals wanted a country that upheld social justice, thus had to fight for new amendments.
Question 8
Modern secularism raised great fear in the American religion. It was a concern that secularism would support the entire church and state separation considering that Jack Kennedy had said the two should be independent. Modern secularism would contribute to the banning of prayers in social and political institutions. Also, Americans feared total decline or religious education in schools.
Evangelical leaders countered inappropriate cultural and political trends in the American religion. Billy Graham was on the forefront fighting against communism. The belief that a Catholic leader should not be elected as a president was condemned. Martin Luther King Jnr also addressed social injustices and inequalities among Americans.
Question 9
The roles of non-Christian religious and faith communities in the American religious and political landscape. According to Mrs. McCollum, non-Christians ensure that faithful ministers do not oppress the less fortunate. They also fight for the rights of Americans as established in the constitution. Non-Christians communities maintain a working relationship between religion and democracy. They favor neither the religious education and its ministers nor the politicians and their intentions.
Question 10
The American story offers religious directions that will be employed for many years to come. Adherence to the biblical teachings enhanced by martin Luther King Jnr. will provide relevant spiritual knowledge. Many generations will embrace the act of saving people. The social gospel created by the change in religion will endorse civil rights movements in the country. The interpretation of doctrine will have a significant impact on the societies since they believe the gospel is a communal message.
Work cited.
https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-god-in-america-five-soul-of-a-nation/