This is the type of religion he finds in the sacred texts he analyzes. He rightly concludes that this religion is not Christian, but he also suggests that it is a national faith that shapes the beliefs of Americans. That conclusion is less plausible. Tocqueville noticed it in the 1830's, and contemporary sociologists continually remind us about the dominance of individualism in our society. He is correct in emphasizing the importance of the individual in the American religious pantheon, but he is off the mark when he elevates that to a national religion.
Religion is more than just knowing.
It is also believing in the transcendent, the divine, and acting on belief. In studying the American-made religions, Bloom focuses on the creeds of these denominations and ends up emphasizing knowledge, or the content of these creeds. Each of the religions he studies has an elaborate cult and code, as well as a creed, and no religion can be fully appreciated unless all three aspects are understood. In the final section of the book, Bloom turns from religious criticism to religious prophecy. He believes that the Mormons and Southern Baptists, who now make up only about 10 percent of the American population, will eventually overtake much of the country.