3 . Questions for Discussion and Composition

1. Which is in the center of religious life in your country: the church or the individual? Explain. Do the majority of the people in your country belong to one particular church or religious faith? Is there a government-supported church?

2. In your faith, if people sin, do they obtain forgiveness from a priest or other religious leader, or must they appeal directly to God? Is there much emphasis on sin and forgiveness of sins in your religion? What are sins in your religion?

3. Is human nature basically wicked or good? What does your religion teach about self-improvement? Are there self-help books in your country? Do you agree with Norman Vincent Peale that the key to self-improvement and success is self-confidence?

4. What is the “Protestant ethic”? How did it help the new American nation grow? Do you have this ethic in your country?

5. What is humanitarianism? Is this philosophy part of your religion? Does it exist outside your religion in your country? What responsibility do the wealthy have, in your opinion?

6. Is there any mixing of religion and patriotism in your country? Are there prayers at nonreligious public events? Where? Soccer games? School?

4. Close Summary Paragraph. This paragraph summarizes the text. Fill in each blank with any word that makes sense.

Although there are many different Christian churches in the _____ States, the majority of _____ are Protestant denominations. European _____ broke with the Catholic _____ in the 1500s because _____ differences in beliefs. In _____ 1600s most of the _____ settlers who came to _____ were Protestant, and Protestantism _____ the dominant religious influence. _____ there are no priests _____ the Protestant church, individuals _____ alone before God, and _____ is a strong emphasis _____ the need for self-improvement. _____ may improve themselves by _____ material success through hard _____ and self-discipline, by helping _____, and by having a _____again religious experience. The _____Constitution forbids government support _____ a national church, but _____ do mix religion and _____ in a form of _____ religion. Its main function _____ to provide support for _____ dominant values and proclaim _____ blessing on America and _____ values.

5. Outlining. Below is an outline of this chapter. The entries for lines A, B, C, D, and E of part 2 have been left out. Read the outline and go back and find these sections in the chapter. Then look at the list following the outline and decide which entry should be used to fill in each blank.

Introduction: The main branches of the Christian faith in the U.S.

1. Protestantism in America

   1. Religious diversity

      1. Many denominations

      2. Emphasis on the individual, not church, as center of religious life

   2. Origin of Protestantism

      1. Break with Catholics

      2. Differences in beliefs

   3. Establishment in U.S.

      1. Desire of colonial settlers to escape religious persecution in Europe

      2. Colonists mostly Protestant

      3. National church forbidden by Constitution

2. The Protestant heritage: self-improvement

   1. _________________________________

      1. No priest to forgive sins

      2. Individuals alone before God

      3. Self-help books

   2. _________________________________

      1. Material possessions a sign of God’s blessing

      2. Conwell’s urging people to get rich

   3. _________________________________

      1. Work of all men seen as holy

      2. Self-discipline seen as willingness to save and invest money

      3. The Protestant ethic

   4. _________________________________

      1. Improving self by helping others.

      2. The duty of the rich to help others

   5. _________________________________

      1. Ultimate form of self-improvement

      2. Religious experience completely changing a person’s life

3. A national religion

   1. Patriotism combined with religion

      1. No government-supported national church

      2. Main function to provide support for dominant values

      3. Songs and ceremonies to proclaim God’s blessing on America and its basic values

   2. Harmful effects

      1. Excessive conformity with prevailing national practices

      2. People who disagree called un-American

Conclusion: The role of the national religion

Use the entries below to fill in lines A, B, C, D, and E. the entries are not in the correct order now.

1. Born-again Christians

2. Material success

3. Humanitarianism

4. Need for self-improvement to acceptable to God

5. Hard work and self-discipline