Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Religion

Voltaire2

(15,119 posts)

14. Religion does not have to be theistic.

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Thu Jan 17, 2019, 10:34 PM

Jan 2019

It certainly doesn’t require a supreme being. I get what Bellah was describing with the term. There is in fact in our culture a set of nationalistic beliefs rituals and ceremonies- and ‘civil religion’ seems an appropriate label. The US version is also heavily infused with Christian tropes. Recall all the “god bless America” sing alongs after 9-11. Our politicians have to work god into every speech.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

21 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I think the idea of "civil religion" is a contradiction in terms. [View all] MineralMan Jan 2019 OP

It's just another attempt at equivocation. trotsky Jan 2019 #1

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Jan 2019 #2

Deism has more to do with the foundation of this country than theism Major Nikon Jan 2019 #3

Only very weak statements referring to any sort of deity MineralMan Jan 2019 #4

Out of the 7 most influential founding fathers... Major Nikon Jan 2019 #9

To the point. Firestorm49 Jan 2019 #5

I'm not so sure. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #6

While some minority of people might treat those things in those ways, MineralMan Jan 2019 #7

I think it is more pervasive, actually. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #8

That was one of the critiques of the idea immediately after it was presented Major Nikon Jan 2019 #10

Thus speaks the official definer. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #11

What are the first two words in my title, Guy? MineralMan Jan 2019 #12

Not a contradiction in terms, just something the US doesn't have muriel_volestrangler Jan 2019 #13

Religion does not have to be theistic. Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #14

While that's true, the word, religion, has theistic connotations MineralMan Jan 2019 #16

Oh absolutely and it was clear that is why Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #20

Yup. MineralMan Jan 2019 #21

You bring up a good point though I think the "religious" elements of this "civil religion" stuff... trotsky Jan 2019 #17

Yes the US version is clearly christian. Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #18

I think religion is more about the symbols and ceremonies than the beliefs marylandblue Jan 2019 #15

I understood "Civil Religion" uriel1972 Jan 2019 #19