Religion in the US
Each part should be approximately 12-15 lines long,
Use paragraphs to make your meanings clear.
PRO TIP: Write in Word.
Part one:
1. Explain the establishment of religion. What would you say to someone who tries to justify the establishment of religion by one or more of the reasons given in the PowerPoint? Are the given reasons for establishment legitimate? Are there other reasons you would argue that should be added to the list of reasons for establishment? Is there a context in which you would support the establishment of religion or like to live in a country with a religious establishment? Explain why or why not.
Part two:
According to the Gaustad text, Patrick Henry proposed a bill that said no individual denomination of Christianity, but Christianity itself should be the established religion of Virginia (pages 22-24). Imagine this bill had become law in Virginia and also nationally. How do you think it would have impacted the history of religion in the US? Would it have been a good thing or a bad thing? Do you agree with Madison's critique of Henry's bill?
Part three:
On pages 57-61, Gaustad reviews some Supreme Court rulings about abortion. Choose one of the rulings on one of the abortion issues. Summarize the justices' arguments for either side. Which side do you agree with and why? Is the issue of abortion an issue having to do with the first amendment (establishment clause or free exercise clause)? How is it connected with religion? Explain.
Part four:
On pages 75-76, Gaustad gives 4 categories of public school cases that have been dealt with by the Supreme Court. Choose one of the categories and examine one of the cases. Explain the case at issue, what the court decided, the reasons given, and the dissent. Do you agree with the decision or the dissent? Explain why.
Examine one of the main issues and cases in chapter 6 regarding the Supreme Court's rulings on parochial schools. Explain the case at issue, what the court decided, the reasons given, and the dissent. Do you agree with the decision or the dissent? Explain why. Does your position lean more toward the strict separationist view or the accomodationist view, or is it the case that these categories do not seem to apply to this case?
Part Six:
As Gaustad notes in chapter 7, free exercise cases tend to involve minority religions whose beliefs can lead devotees to actions that deviate from social norms or regulations. Describe one of the cases Gaustad summarizes in chapter 7, stating the religious group and how the belief and corresponding activity it affirms deviated from a social regulation. Describe the Supreme Court's decision in the case and the dissent. Do you agree with the decision or the dissent? Does your position lean toward libertarianism or communitarianism? Give reasons for why you hold your position.
Part Seven:
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What examples of non-Christian religion are you aware of that exist in your area? Do you know about any Mosques, Synagogues, Temples, or Centers near you? Are you acquainted with any individuals who follow one of the world religions? Are they first generation immigrants and do you know anything about their story and how they came to the US? Have you ever heard about any trouble or conflict that devotees of the world religions other than Christianity have faced because of their religious beliefs or immigrant status in your area? Explain. Have you ever talked with someone who follows a religion other than Christianity about their religion and religious beliefs? If you do not know of any non-Christian religions in your area, can you find some near you on the internet or in the phone book? Part Eight:
The predominant religion in the US is Christianity. At the same time, as we have seen, world religions other than Christianity are some of the fastest growing religions in the US. Because of disestablishment and the free exercise of religion in the Constitution, devotees of religions other than Christianity are free to practice their religion. The main question Christians face regarding these other religions is not whether they can practice their religion socially or legally, but whether from a Christian point of view other religions should be regarded as religiously legitimate or illegitimate. From a Christian point of view, to regard another religion as religiously illegitimate means to claim that it is in Christianity alone that one can find salvation (however that is defined). To regard another religion as religiously legitimate means to claim that representatives of the world religions other than Christianity can find salvation (however defined) in their own religions without needing to convert to Christianity. What is your position on this question of whether Christians can regard other religions as religiously legitimate or illegitimate? You do not need to be a Christian in order to answer this question. Even if you are not a Christian, you could say what you think Christians should believe on this question.
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