Please respond to each person using their first name, with at least 100 words a piece.
Javier Fernandez
SaturdayApr 16 at 9:16amManage Discussion Entry
Module 7: Discussion 1 – What Have You Learned
THE 352- American Religious Experience
Professor Swaner
Barry University
Javier Fernandez
April 16,2022
Concepts Learned in THE 352- American Religious Experience
I have learned valuable concepts in this course related to American religious history, and they further my understanding of American religion, culture, and politics. Firstly, I have learned that puritan theology impacted American religious history significantly. I believe that the puritan theology indeed transformed American history as it led to the transformation of the Anglican Church. I find this true because the Puritans felt that the Anglican Church, which was England’s state religious institution, was significantly influenced by the Catholic Church. According to their belief, they had a covenant with God to reform the Anglican Church by ensuring that the faithful lived per the Scriptures (Koester, 2015). This is evident as today, the Anglican Church in America has become independent and grown; it’s called the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Also, Puritan theology supported the separation of the Church and government. I find this true because Puritans introduced a belief in America that the dominant highest power is God and distrusted any large institution such as the Catholic Church that could play God (Koester, 2015). Today, the reforms introduced by the Puritans are still evident in America, whereby the law prohibits the government from inhibiting or advancing religion. However, the law does not separate religion from public life or politics, as people have the free will to introduce religious viewpoints in the public arena.
In addition, I have learned that the great black migration influenced the spread of Christianity as free blacks and enslaved Africans who had converted to Christianity migrated to the North. Essentially, the great migration entailed the mass movement of African Americans from the rural southern regions to the north of the United States due to the heightened levels of segregation, racist ideology, convict leasing, widespread lynching, and indentured servitude (McCammack, 2017). Since most of these individuals were Christian converts, they led to the spread of Pentecostal and Baptist Churches in the north. The migration also triggered the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society. This shaped the American religion as it introduced new faith in the north.
Today, the northeast Midwest culture is characterized by Black culture as many African Americans settled in this region (Koester, 2015). This also shaped American politics as the region has many African Americans in the government. In my opinion, I believe that the Great Migration contributed to the increased representation of blacks in politics and government as many African Americans migrated to North America due to the harsh segregation policies and dissatisfactory economic opportunities in the south, among other reasons.
And finally, I have learned that Evangelical Protestantism significantly shaped Black Christianity prior to the Civil War. Notably, Protestants had considerable cultural and numerical dominance in the 1860s (Koester, 2015). Besides, Protestants, unlike Jews and Catholics, had a higher positon in the American government in most people’s hearts (Koester, 2015). Therefore, the movement provided theological and religious justifications for war, which most people embraced. Given the dominant nature of the Protestants, during this time, it was easy for the group to spread its motivations and popular moods. This altogether explains why Evangelical Protestantism became popular in the Northern regions occupied by many African Americans and consequently led to the development of Black Christianity. This changed American history as many people embraced this faith. In the government, Protestant attitude spread as many Protestants took active roles in politics and government affairs.
Contemporarily, Protestants have made remarkable efforts in America as they continue empowering the masses and spreading their ideologies. Protestants conduct seminars especially to empower women, run foreign missions in the country, and develop Christian Schools (Koester, 2015). Altogether, these approaches have promoted the development of Pentecostal Christianity in America, whose members take active roles in politics. I believe that this movement has transformed American politics and culture as it advocates for peace. Members of this group refrain from war operations or violence. This shows that the Church can eradicate sinful ways perpetrated by politicians, such as supporting or engaging in war, discrimination, and corruption scandals in the future.
References
Koester, N. (2015). Introduction to the History of Christianity in the United States: Revised and Expanded Edition. Fortress Press.
McCammack, B. (2017). Landscapes of Hope: Nature and the Great Migration in Chicago. Harvard University Press.
Jennifer Bonilla
2:50pmApr 18 at 2:50pmManage Discussion Entry
What three things that you have learned in this course about American religious history shed the most light for you on today’s American religion, culture, and politics? Be as specific as possible.
What I have learned in this course that relates most to today’s religion, culture, and politics is that after almost 400 years since John Winthrop stated that we would be a city on a hill, we have still missed the mark. Fighting among political groups and xenophobia seem to be heightened at this time. Presidential elections have brought an ugliness I have never witnessed before. It is hard for me to admit that America could be thought of as a City on a Hill when there is so much fighting, hatred, and blatant disrespect toward leaders in this country. People proudly and publicly displaying their dismay towards our current president (and our last ones), in my opinion, does not reflect a city on a hill. The openly racist rhetoric that occurred toward Muslims after 9/11 does not reflect the values that a city on a hill would. The hatred towards immigrants that became deeper during the Trump administration is not how a city on a hill would react to a country built by immigrants.
The second thing I learned in this course, was the role of the black church and its support for its congregation. The black church was and still is a beacon of hope to those feeling oppressed. The black church’s cultural influences on American life were and still are extraordinary. The musical sounds that originated in the churches have spilled over to mainstream music. While some of the music today might seem like it is far from gospel, much of it references political messages and African American struggles that are meaningful and important to the black church’s community. Today, the efforts for equality in the African America community are not being led by the church as it was when Dr. King led the civil rights movement, but many still use the teachings of Dr. King to propel the BLM movement forward.
Lastly, I have learned that the concept of separating the church and state is one that will never be worked out for a very long time. Throughout history, Americans have seemed to use the power of the church in politics whenever it is convenient but also, call for separation when it is convenient. Americans want the right to practice the faith of their own choosing, but there is an undertone of prejudice against non-Christian-based faiths in this country. Topics that are rooted in religious beliefs include abortion, LGBTQ rights, and the legalization of marijuana. Many groups speak out against these topics and many political candidates make promises to their supporters that they will pass or prevent these from becoming law. These are topics that will probably never be fully agreed upon and religious groups will always attempt to ensure these are lawfully prohibited especially abortion.
I wanted to say that I have really enjoyed this class and everything I have learned. Relearning events in history and seeing the religious affiliation tied to them has sparked a bit of a hunger for me to continue learning more. I see how the study of Theology is intended to spark deeper and critical thinking similar to philosophy, which I thoroughly enjoy. Thank you, Dr. Swaner for structuring this course in such an easy-to-understand way. Thank you, to my peers for insightful discussions. Good luck to everyone in your future!