Religion in the USA

1. RELIGION IN THE USA

2.

Religion as the foundation of the American nation
(colonialism: religious freedom?)
Puritans (Massachusetts)
Quakers (Pennsylvania)
Catholics (Maryland)
Anglicans (Virginia)
the First Amendment to the Constitution:
"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."
Diversity of beliefs
Multiculturalism

3.

Is religion important in your life? „YES”
answered:
59% people in the USA
36% in Poland
33% in Great Britain
27% in Italy
21% in Germany

4.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION IN
THE U.S. (2012)
Affiliation
Christian
% of U.S.
population
73
Protestant
Evangelical Protestant
Mainline Protestant
Black church
48
19
15
8
Catholic
Mormon
Eastern Orthodox
22
2
1
Other Faith
Unaffiliated
19.6
Nothing in particular
Agnostic
Atheist
Don't know/refused answer
13.9
3.3
2.4
2
Total
100
6

5.

6.

ATTENDANCE:
41.6% of Americans report they regularly attend religious services
15% of French citizens,
10% of UK citizens,
7.5% of Australian citizens

7.

Service attendance by state:

8.

Christian bodies
Religious body
Places of
Membership
worship
(thousands)
reported
1. Roman Catholic Church
19,484
66,404
2. Southern Baptist Convention (Protestant)
40,870
16,500
3. The United Methodist Church (Protestant)
36,170
8,400
4. National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (Protestant)
33,000
8,200
5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 13,010
5,779
6. Church of God in Christ (Pentecostal)
15,300
5,500
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Protestant)
10,862
5,178
8. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (Protestant)
11,260
3,575

9.

Baptist churches
The name 'Baptist' comes from the Baptist practice
of immersion in water. It was coined in the
seventeenth century by opponents to the new
movement but rejected by followers themselves.
It wasn't until the nineteenth century that
Baptists accepted the use of the label to describe
themselves.
Distinguishing features:
Baptism of believers by full immersion
Priesthood of all
Congregational
Separation of church and state
(from: BBC: Religions)

10.

11. Methodist churches

Methodism has its roots in eighteenth century
Anglicanism. Its founder was a Church of England
minister, John Wesley (1703-1791), who sought to
challenge the religious assumptions of the day.
During a period of time in Oxford, he and others
met regularly for Bible study and prayer, to receive
communion and do acts of charity. They became
known as 'The Holy Club' or 'Methodists' because
of the methodical way in which they carried out
their Christian faith. John Wesley later used the
term Methodist himself to mean the methodical
pursuit of biblical holiness.
(from: BBC: Religions)

12. Methodist churches

Beliefs:
All need to be saved - the doctrine of original
sin
All can be saved - Universal Salvation
All can know they are saved - Assurance
All can be saved completely - Christian
perfection
(from: BBC: Religions)

13. MORMONS:

The church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints,
Mormons believe their church is a restoration of the
Church as conceived by Jesus and that the other
Christian churches have gone astray.
The church was founded by Joseph Smith (1805 1844). It was then developed by Brigham Young who
migrated with the new Mormons to Salt Lake City in
1847.
Mormons believe that God has a physical body, is
married, and can have children.
They also believe that humans can become gods in
the afterlife.

14. MORMONS:

Mormons are strongly focused on traditional family
life and values.
They oppose abortion, homosexuality, unmarried
sexual acts, pornography, gambling, tobacco,
consuming alcohol, tea, coffee, and the use of drugs.
One of the more common misconceptions is that The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints advocates
polygamy. However, this was discontinued over a
century ago and the Church excommunicates anyone
who practices it.
(from: BBC: Religions)

15.

American religious intricacies:
ACTIVE PREACHING
GOSPEL SINGING
The EVANGELICAL MOVEMENT
The Electronic Church (Pat Robertson)
hostility towards ISLAM (9/11 experience)