Corporate America, Anti-New Deal And Religion.

[Cheerful Charlie]

An interesting article on how in the 50's right winged Republicans, anti-New Deal fanatics, corporate America adopted Christianity in a well orchestrated campaign. The birth of Christian Nationalism. Forgotten history relevant to today's politics.

How Corporate America Invented Christian America

Inside one reverend’s big business-backed 1940s crusade to make the country conservative again.

www.politico.com

 

[steve_bank]

GWB had a prominent Evangelical as a speechwriter. If you know what you are hearing GWB's speeches and commentary were filled with veiled biblical references that Christians would pick up on.

The racist silent film Birth Of A Nation was screened in the WH.

The Birth of a Nation - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[T.G.G. Moogly]

An interesting article on the existence of "nonverts," the non-religious in the U.S. After reading the article it sounds like the Cold War and the threat of "godless communism" was probably the singular most effective bulwark propping up religious affiliation in the U.S post WW2. The rise of the internet gave people doubting their religious claims to meet like minded people. The third factor contributing to religious decline is simply that non-religious people breed non-religious people and so the trend naturally accelerates.

Why Americans are leaving their churches

“So there is a story about why there is this rise of the nones. But to me, the more interesting story is why it didn’t happen earlier.” Why did this change start not in the 1960s, when American culture was in a state of upheaval, but in the ’90s?
Politics, say other scholars, who see nonreligion as a backlash against the GOP’s “Contract with America” and the rise of the religious right

That’s likely part of it, Bullivant said, pointing to how quickly the American public changed its mind on gay marriage. But he looks to three other developments to help us understand why people are leaving the fold.

It's worth the few minutes to read. I particularly like the Cold War angle. I can recall conversations with religious folk who had no idea the Pledge of Allegiance was changed in the 50's to include "god." Not until I directed them to old movies with Bing Crosby reciting the pledge with children did they believe me. Then of course started making excuses. But it's a good read. Even the Mormons are bleeding membership which is why I haven't seen those pesky young lads at my door for some time.