Patriot's History: Religion (Chapters 1,4)
Music: Choral Production of Healy Willan
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Summary We've learned from years of fierce debate the church can make a better state. Chapter Religion, starting with the "Great Awakening" (which lasted half the eighteenth century) would bring a surge of faith and moralism to a young America; although the radicals among the sects (some Puritans defied authority, the Unitarians denied the Trinity) were slowly compromising Christianity to rules of public duty and morality - still good - but now the bond connecting church and state was being challenged; still, the land would resonate with Godly sentiment, as true believers tried to foster common sense. The Constitution tied the Christian faith to freedom, though in civil terms. The writing of de Tocqueville readily confirms the spirit of religion as essential to the noble principles Republics can imbue. |