| Long ago, there was formulated a sort of non- sectarian set of observances, primarily derived from Protestant Christianity, which has been characterized by political scientists as America's civic religion, what is nowadays referred to as "Judeo- Christianity", although it has been influenced by Deism, transcendentalism, Unitarian- Universalism, and other forms of post- Christian, liberal religion. It provides a way of solemnizing occasions, and asking God's blessing, without favoring a particular denomination or per se "establishing religion". It allowed the dominant culture to express itself publicly, and even in government- sanctioned settings, without requiring conformity or the violation of conscience. As much as anything else, it is that diluted expression of piety which has been under attack for the last 30 or 40 years, and it has unsettled a lot of people, even people who are not especially traditionalist. There is a widespread feeling that God ought not to be entirely ignored in public....... |
