Post on 28-Dec-2015
transcript
First Amendment• Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Establishment Clause• Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion
• What does this mean?
Free Exercise Clause• Congress shall make no law …prohibiting the free
exercise thereof;
• What does this mean?
Role of Religion remained strong in the U.S.
• Church attendance remained high• Most adhered to some form of Christianity• Most states disestablished official churches
• Jefferson’s “Wall of Separation”
Role of Religion in American Life
The Second Great Awakening
1790s through 1840s• Rebirth in religious sentiment• Growth of religious denominations• New debate between mainline and evangelic
Protestantism
Growth of “Liberal” Theology• Deism common among Founders.
• Relied on Reason, not Revelation• Approached theology with logic
• Unitarianism• Stressed that man was good• God seen as loving father• Stressed good works
• “New Light” Protestantism
Reaction Set In• Many disagreed with the softening of old teachings• Others concerned over the changes in the country
Growth of Revivals• Revivals spread from the frontier throughout the nation
• Utilized “camp meetings” led by itinerant preachers• Focused on the audience• Easily understood• Offered salvation for all
• Characterized by ecstatic frenzies of activity• Flourished in western New York – the “burned over” district
Church Membership Expanded• New sects promoted “democratic” forms
• Preachers required little formal training• Stressed an itinerant ministry
Role of Women• “Feminized” religion
• Middle-class women became the most fervent participants
• Preachers gave women a role in bringing their families to God
• Women took to the forefront in benevolent crusades and reforms
New Denominations• Millerites (Adventists)
• Believed Christ would come to Earth on October 22, 1844• Faded, but continued as the Seventh Day Adventists
New Denominations• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Based teachings on the Book of Mormon• Established a strong, disciplined hierarchy• Often developed difficulties with non-Mormon neighbors
• Moved from New York to Ohio then Missouri to Illinois• Finally settled in Utah