American+Gospel+Reflection

Religion, just like anywhere in the world, is a source of constant conflict in America. Our history unique in that the majority of our country's founders were religious exiles who came to practice their religion freely. In that sense, Justice O. Douglas is very correct in his assertion that America was founded on religious principles. However it is difficult to reconcile the 1st Amendment with the predominance of Christianity in the US. There are the opposing forces of secularism and those that believe that the separation of church and state has gone too far. By putting a picture of Pat Robertson on the wall, I am showing visitors the views of a very mainstream televangelist. Mr. Robertson's views are popular in much of America, and in the island of heterogeneity that is Chicago it is easy to forget that evangelical Christian views are very common. The Puritans represent an American religious tradition that today would be considered radical, but in the words of Hawthorne the Puritans have "darkened the national visage." While the US is not an officially religious nation, the struggles of secularism have never ceased and have played and will play an important role in the development of the American society and character.

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