big business conservatives christian religious leaders

The Unholy Alliance of Big Business, Conservatives, and Christian Religious Leaders in American Politics

The United States is often touted as a Christian nation, with many Americans believing that their country was founded on Christian principles. However, this notion is far from accurate. In fact, the idea that America is fundamentally and formally Christian originated in the 1930s during the New Deal era.

As historian Kevin M. Kruse reveals in his book 'One Nation Under God,' a provocative and authoritative history of the origins of Christian America, the belief that America was a Christian nation was fueled by an unholy alliance between big business, conservatives, and Christian religious leaders.

In the 1950s, President Dwight Eisenhower's pastor, who was strongly encouraged by corporate America to unite religious piety with anti-government freedom, urged him to add the phrase 'One Nation Under God' to the Pledge of Allegiance. This move was part of a larger campaign to fight New Deal regulations and promote Christian values in American politics.

The addition of this phrase to the Pledge of Allegiance marked a significant shift in American politics, as it legitimized the idea that America was a Christian nation. This notion was further solidified by President Eisenhower's inauguration of new traditions like the National Prayer Breakfast and his signing of legislation making 'In God We Trust' the country's first official motto.

The consequences of this unholy alliance between big business, conservatives, and Christian religious leaders were far-reaching. Church membership soared to an all-time high of 69 percent, and Americans across the religious and political spectrum agreed that their country was indeed 'one nation under God.'

However, this notion of a Christian America has continued to divide American politics to this day. As Kruse notes in his book, 'One Nation Under God reveals how an unholy alliance of money, religion, and politics created a false origin story that continues to define and divide American politics to this day.'

In conclusion, the idea that America is a Christian nation was not a natural or organic development but rather the result of an unholy alliance between big business, conservatives, and Christian religious leaders. This alliance has had far-reaching consequences for American politics, shaping our country's identity and dividing Americans along religious and political lines.

Big business conservatives christian religious leaders