Americanism
Subtitle: the fourth great Western religion
By: by David Gelernter.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Doubleday
Published: 2007
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 229
ISBN-13: 9780385513128
Subjects: Religion and politics -- United States; Christianity and politics -- United States; Judaism and politics -- United States; United States -- Religion; United States -- Church history
Description: What does it mean to "believe" in America? Why do we speak of our country as having a higher purpose? Author Gelernter traces the emergence of America as the embodiment of a powerful religious idea. Americanism begins with the Puritan settlers in New England who saw themselves as the new children of Israel and whose faith-based ideals of liberty, equality, and democratic governance had a greater influence on the nation's founders than the Enlightenment. These concepts were gradually transformed into a secular religion of freedom, with followers throughout the world. Its adherents have included oppressed peoples everywhere--from the patriots of the Hungarian Revolution to the martyred Chinese dissidents of Tiananmen Square. Americanism is a powerful reminder of America's dedication to spreading freedom--surely one of the most profound and beautiful religious ideas the world has ever known.--From publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: The world-creating English Bible; title: American Zionism : the puritan dream of America; title: Revolution and the American creed; title: Abraham Lincoln, America's last and greatest founding father; title: The Great War makes the modern world; title: The emergence of modern Americanism; title: The new covenant.