Conventional wisdom holds that america has been a christian nation since the founding fathers. The 2016 annual meeting for the organization of american historians oah will feature a session focusing upon the provocative book one nation under god by. How corporate america invented christian america, by princeton university professor kevin m. Kruse identifies one nation under god as an origins story, tracking how liberals and conservatives became locked in an intractable struggle over an ostensibly simple question. Kruses study focuses mainly on the period from the 1930s, when corporate and conservative interests embraced christianity as a weapon against the new deal, through the battles over the. Jun 10, 2015 in his new book, one nation under god. Kruse reveals that the idea of christian america is an inventionand a relatively recent one at that.
How the family was founded and was rooted in the corporations war against labor. Kevin kruse, author of one nation under god kevin kruse s book looks at how industrialists in the 30s and 40s recruited clergy to preach free enterprise. A student boldly stands up for god when a presidential candidate visits his school. Kevin kruse, associate professor of history at princeton university, delivers the back story one nation under god. Kruse reveals that the idea of christian america is an invention and a relatively recent one at that. The united states began with a secular motto e pluribus unum, latin for one for many, a reflection of one federal state comprised of many individual religious and political units. Outside of academia, kruse has attracted substantial attention and following for his twitter threads.
In order to push back against the atheistic communism of the soviet union, americans reembraced a religious identity, one nation under god author kevin kruse explained to npr about the. How corporate america invented christian america by kevin m. How corporate america invented christian america kindle edition by kruse, kevin. In the 1930s and 40s, he says, american corporations, in response to declining bottom lines and damage to their reputations, supported the efforts of evangelicals and business leaders who promoted. The following is an adapted excerpt from kevin kruses new book, one nation under god. Kruse is a professor of history at princeton and the author, most recently, of one nation under god. How corporate america invented christian america basic. Such a pledge was first composed, with a text different from the one used at present, by captain george thatcher balch, a union army officer during the civil war and later a teacher of patriotism in new york city schools. Atlanta and the making of modern conservatism, 2007, etc. As kruse argues, the belief that america is fundamentally an. How corporate america invented christian america, kevin kruse argues that this hasnt always been the case. How corporate america invented christian america 2015 kevin kruse category. One nation under god could change the way we think about civil religion in america. Kevin m kruse from 3360 husking peg ln, geneva, il 604.
Kevin kruse is a professor of history at princeton university and the author, most recently, of one nation under god. Exiles from the southern baptist convention who are still trying to figure out what happened should read this book. How corporate america invented christian america, the author lays out a deftly detailed history of christianitys service to capitalism in the united states. Apr 21, 2015 the following is an adapted excerpt from kevin kruse s new book, one nation under god. The assumption that america was, is, and always will be a christian nation dates back no further than the 1930s, when a coalition of businessmen and religious leaders united in. To fight the slavery of fdrs new deal, businessmen enlisted religious activists in a campaign for freedom under god that culminated in the election of their ally dwight.
The exchange goes viral challenging both to step out in faith and be the men that god has called them to be. The book came out earlier this year, and i added it to my reading list because i had just finished reading steven greens inventing christian america and i had heard just enough about kruses book to believe. One nation under god npr coverage of one nation under god. In his latest book, princeton university historian kevin kruse reveals the economic and. As kruse argues, the belief that america is fundamentally and formally a christian nation originated in the 1930s when businessmen enlisted religious activists in their fight against fdrs new deal. How corporate america invented christian america basic books, 2015. Kevin kruse untangles the long relationship between. Apr 14, 2015 but in one nation under god, historian kevin m. Through a carefully researched and engaging account, kevin kruse shows that the notion of christian america was very much a modern. If we ever forget that were one nation under god, then well be a nation gone.
How corporate america invented christian america, from which this article has been. May 07, 2015 princeton professor and author of one nation under god. The pledge of allegiance of the united states is an expression of allegiance to the flag of the united states and the republic of the united states of america. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading one nation under god. Kevin kruse, author of one nation under god kevin kruses book looks at how industrialists in the 30s and 40s recruited clergy to preach free enterprise. America was founded in 1776, but it was only in 1953, with the inauguration of dwight david eisenhower as the 34th president, that it became a christian nation. One lone jewish representative from brooklyn, abraham multer, did argue that putting god s name on the currency would not stimulate one. To fight the slavery of fdrs new deal, businessmen enlisted religious activists in a campaign for freedom under god that culminated in the election of their ally dwight eisenhower in 1952. Kruse s study focuses mainly on the period from the 1930s, when corporate and conservative interests embraced christianity as a weapon against the new deal, through the battles over the. In the 1930s and 40s, he says, american corporations, in response to declining bottom lines and damage to their reputations, supported the efforts of. Kruse begins and frames his essay with the idea that the concept of america as a christian nation has nothing to do with the founding generation, but is.
Were libertarians behind the christian nation idea. His research interests include the political, social, and urbansuburban history of 20thcentury america, with a particular focus on the making of modern conservatism. As kruse argues, the belief that america is fundamentally and formally a christian nation originated in the 1930s when businessmen enlisted religious activists in their fight against fdrs new. Feb 26, 2012 kevin kruse, associate professor of history at princeton university, delivers the back story one nation under god. One nation under god by kevin kruse, 9780465049493, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Kruse reveals that the belief that america is fundamentally and formally christian originated in the 1930s.
How corporate america invented christian america politico. Kruses lucid narrative is a model of historical writing aimed at a general. In 1955, congress placed in god we trust on paper money it had been on coins since lincolns presidency. This lucid and elegantly written book helps explain how evangelical religious conservatives came to embrace an uncritical. How corporate america messed with our religion friends. Kruse s one nation under god looks at the rise of political evangelism in modern america, and its long history as a cats paw for reactionary politics. As kruse argues, the belief that america is fundamentally and formally a christian nation originated in the 1930s when businessmen enlisted. Perceptions stem from proximity, reading, news media and travel personal experiences responsible for cementing notions of in god we trust america as one. For advocates of the separation of church and state, its a truth universally acknowledged that the concept of judeochristian america is a myth, and a relatively recent one at that. In 1952, congress had mandated an annual national day of prayer. How corporate america invented christian america kevin m. Kruse ably demonstrates how the simple ornamental mottoes under god and in god we trust, as well as the fight to define america.
Congress then inserted under god in 1954 as part of an ongoing series of bipartisan steps intended, in elliss words, to inject religious faith into public life. President eisenhower, like many americans, is a very fervent believer in a very vague religion. When he ran for the white house, texas governor george w. Bethany moretons to serve god and walmart should also be added to the roster. Princeton professor and author of one nation under god. Its author, francis bellamy, a baptist minister from rome, new york, was a decidedly religious man, but when he wrote the pledge in the 1890s he. Kevin kruse shows the surprising origins of in god we trust and other mainstays of public piety.
Kruse argues that the idea of christian america is nothing more than a mythand a relatively recent one at that the assumption that america was, is, and always will be a christian nation dates back no further than the 1930s, when a coalition. Eisenhower as president, a small, chariotdriving clan of christian evangelicals stormed the national stage, bent on foisting their religious claims into american law, custom, and. One nation under god provides a powerful and timely creation story for conservative public religion in postwar america. How corporate america invented christian america, by kevin kruse. Kruse from an awardwinning historian, the story of how in the middle of the 20th century, corporate titans and evangelical activists rewrote history and created the pervasive myth that america was, is, and always will be a fundamentally christian nation. Dwight eisenhower, billy graham, and the makers of american.
The last thing this canadian possesses is a degree in american history. Big business, rightwing politics and the religious lie that still divides us kevin m. Were often told that the united states is, was, and always has been a christian nation. Jun 24, 2016 finally, for those of you with the time and appetite for a serious work of history that would place what were seeing in a larger context, i would recommend one nation under god. Kruse reveals that the idea of christian america is an invention,and a relatively recent one at that. Kruse argues that the idea of christian america is nothing more than a myth and a relatively recent one at that the assumption that america was, is, and always will be a christian nation dates back no further than the 1930s, when a coalition of. Listen to one nation under god audiobook by kevin m. It never occurred to me that one nation under god was created by corporations in a post depression united states. Kruse is an american professor of history at princeton university. Asking why so many contemporary americans came to believe that this country has been and always should be a christian nation, one nation under god, reperiodizes and refocuses one of the most vexing debates in and about american history p. How corporations hired ministers to help destroy the new deal. Apr 20, 2015 kruse identifies one nation under god as an origins story, tracking how liberals and conservatives became locked in an intractable struggle over an ostensibly simple question. It contributes to a growing field of historical scholarship on corporate funding for free enterprise politics and religious interpretations of capitalism. Kruse argues that the idea of christian america is nothing more than a mythand a relatively recent one at that.
How corporate america created christian america by kevin kruse the humanist julyaugust 2015 in 1952, with the election of dwight d. President richard nixon and the evangelist billy graham, 1970. Corporate interests, christianity, and the rise of religious nationalism in. Kruses thesis and, after reading one nation under god, it makes perfect sense. This history is linked to industrys reaction to reform, born during the progressive era, revived by the new deal and perfected during the cold war. May 01, 2015 one nation under god could change the way we think about civil religion in america. As kruse argues, the belief that america is fundamentally and formally a christian nation originated in the 1930s when businessmen enlisted religious activists in their fight against fdr. Dwight eisenhower, billy graham, and the makers of. With isaak presley, kevin sorbo, antonio sabato jr.
Mar 30, 2015 one nation under god npr coverage of one nation under god. Kruses one nation under god looks at the rise of political evangelism in modern america, and its long history as a cats paw for reactionary politics. The 2016 annual meeting for the organization of american historians oah will feature a session focusing upon the provocative book one nation under god by princeton history professor keven m. How corporate america invented christian america, explains how christian america is rooted in the corporate reaction against the new deal. Kruse argues that the idea of christian america is nothing more than a myth and a relatively recent one at that. Professor kruse is a featured speaker at ffrfs 38th national convention oct.
See the article in its original context from june 27, 2002, section a, page 28 buy reprints. Kruse argues that the idea of christian america is nothing more than a mythand a relatively recent one at that the assumption that america was, is, and always will be a christian nation dates back no further than the 1930s, when a coalition of. Forget about the 1970s, or even the 1950s, kevin kruse says, this story begins in the heart of the depression. Christianity was brought into the service of laissezfaire economics in puritan devotion to work and thrift, but the decisive moment at which.
1073 753 1435 1390 527 606 945 266 1167 786 213 721 532 275 1282 841 434 560 1129 664 296 1404 1226 607 1268 1221 1150 385 1549 1137 507 1574 892 613 133 1395 260 695 867 1442 413 987 352 87 476 1144 626 878