In God We Trust Analysis

Rafael Campos
Prof. Nyitray
RLST/ETST 012
1 March 2012
In God We Trust The United States of America carries its identity in its rich history which provides the festival days, heroes, and activities that the world defines with the country. These people and events can be seen as more than just cultural icons and practices. There is a sense of religious identity to them which make them seem more as sacred days, saints, and rituals. The cultural/religious type of association a country has with itself has come to be known as the civil religion of the country. A “succinct” definition as mentioned by author Bruce T. Murray in his book “Religious Liberty in America” is religious studies professor Rowland A. Sherrill’s definition which states
that, “American civil religion is a form of devotion, outlook, and commitment that deeply and widely binds the citizens of the nation together with ideas they possess and express about the sacred nature, the sacred ideals, the sacred character, and sacred meanings of the country.” In the United States there are many examples that can support the definition as given above. There are days such as Independence Day and Thanksgiving day and there are people such as George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr. If one simply looks at Thanksgiving Day he/she will see many characteristics that support the idea of civil religion. Presidential Thanksgiving Day proclamations provide a good amount of evidence for the civil religion that is found in the United States. Since the formation of the nation there has been a nationally identifying religion that has been developing in the American culture. In order to better understand civil religion it would be good to examine two different proclamations given at two different time periods. The Thanksgiving Day proclamation given in 1938 was given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was written during a time period when the world was suffering what is known as the great depression. In 2009 there was a similar pandemic that was occurring around the world. The pandemic was known as the great recession. During that time president Barack Obama wrote the Thanksgiving Day proclamation of 2009. If both proclamations are examined one will see that even though the proclamations are at different time periods, both express illustrations of American civil religion. Using professor Sherrill’s definition as backbone one can see how the proclamations illustrate civil religion. The proclamations of these two presidents both express religious characteristics that are exemplified by civil religious beliefs, symbols, and rituals which illustrate a religious side to the American culture. There is a belief in the United States that the nation is divinely protected and blessed by the Judeo Christian God.
This leads to sayings such as, “In God we trust”, and “God bless America” which are found on money, shirts, posters and many other places across America. In return this gives The U.S a belief that there is a kind of importance for them in the world. This is reflected by both Roosevelt’s and Obama’s proclamations. In Roosevelt’s proclamation he states that, “from our earliest recorded history, Americans have thanked God for their blessings…” and that we as Americans should pray for “unfortunate people” in other lands. In Obama’s proclamation Obama quotes George Washington in saying, “[we acknowledge] with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.” As seen in both the quotes there is a sense in that God blesses and protects the U.S thus making the nation as a type of big brother to the world that has to protect the weaker nations. This belief stretches across all America and all people around the country believe it. It is a good example of the civil religion that America has been
having. Symbols can be seen as images, people, or establishments that reflect a nation and its culture.
For instance both Roosevelt and Obama mention George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in their proclamations. It is common for both those two presidents to be mentioned in any patriotic event or writing. They are the symbol of the U.S and they are respected somewhat as saints and heroes. Thus the fact that both proclamations contain these two key figures is more support for the illustration of civil religion in their writings. Another symbol that is heavy in the American culture is democracy. Roosevelt directly touches on the subject by saying, “We have cherished and preserved our democracy. We have lived in peace and understanding with our neighbors…” As for Obama he does not directly mention democracy but he heavily alludes to it by saying how we should recall the freedom and independence we have and give thanks for it. Democracy is “freedom” and “independence” and is seen as the rightful good in America. So it is also a symbol and part of the civil religion that defines the U.S. Roosevelt and Obama use democratic themes well in their
proclamations. It would be an understatement to say that only some religions have rituals that pertain to them. So like most religions across the globe, America’s civil religion also has rituals it follows. These rituals can be seen in the proclamations of the presidents. The act of celebrating Thanksgiving Day is a ritual only held by the American people. As Obama says, “Thanksgiving Day is a unique national tradition we all share. Its spirit binds us together as one…” The act of the president writing a proclamation on Thanksgiving is also a ritual that is being followed. Both presidents also describe how the Native Americans helped early colonist to survive the cruel weathers of the east coast, and thus that is why the people should thank “Almighty God” for the blessings bestowed on Americans. So the very act and occasion for writing the proclamations is an illustration in itself of American civil religion. Civil religion is a very famous topic that is spreading through the sociological world. It is good to see examples such as the presidential Thanksgiving Day proclamations to better understand it. The proclamations contain beliefs, rituals, ad symbols which illustrate very well the definition of civil religion in America. No amount of time can change the religious aspect of America.

Works Cited
Murray, Bruce T. "3/ With God on Our Side." Religious Liberty in America: The First Amendment in Historical and Contemporary Perspective. Amherst: University of Massachusetts in Association with Foundation for American Communications, 2008. N. pag. Print.
Obama, Barack. "Thanksgiving Day 2009 November 23, 2009 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America." n.d.: n. pag. Web. .
Roosevelt, Franklin D. "THANKSGIVING DAY - 1938 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION." n.d.: n. pag. Web. .