THE RELIGIOUS CHANGES SINCE THE SIXTIES
How the role of religion in American society has changed since the 60s?
A. The progress of religious diversity
The election of John F. Kennedy in 1960 marked a symbolic turning point.
American identity is no longer confused with Protestantism, and the integration of religious minorities is acquired. The revival of immigration after 1965 contributes to turning and increasing the share of Asian religions and Catholicism and Islam which also recruits among black activists as Malcolm X. Interfaith marriages, previously rare, is widespread in the 70s.
Within Protestantism, the crisis of the traditional currents accompanied by the development of the evangelical "born again" through megachurches and televangelists. If Protestantism is the majority (over 60% of the population in 1990 and 51% in 2007), Americans of all faiths have new spiritual needs, as evidenced by the success of Pentecostalism, especially among some Latinos but also New Age and Scientology.
B. Real but controversial secularization.
The weekly religious practice remains strong but regresses (42% in 1970 against 50% in 1955), which accelerates secularization wrong however as far away as Europe. This phenomenon is accompanied by a strengthening of the separation of state and religion, begun by the Supreme Court in the 1960s. The ban on prayer in public schools and religious symbols in public buildings, upsets the Americans attached to a visible and recognized religion.
Lifestyle changes - the Supreme Court Roe against Wade legalizing abortion in 1973 and advancing the rights of women and homosexuals - scandalized conservative Americans, and in the 80s and 90s, ensures success Fundamentalist Protestants.
C. The politicization of religious issues
Since the 1960s, political divides widen. Evangelicals, apolitical until the 1970s, joined the Republicans in 1980 with the election of Ronald Reagan. His speech drew on the traditional values of former Democratic voters, including Catholics and Protestants Southern whites, these states became Republicans until the election of George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.
However, the progressive Protestant churches, strong in the Northeast and on the West Coast, are still active. Some evangelicals and traditional Catholics vote Democratic, particularly among minorities. Virulence fundamentalists can be isolated. Thus, during the 2008 presidential campaign, candidate Barack Obama said his faith and religious values, but denounced successfully intolerance of the religious right.
Vocabulary:
Born again christian: term for a convert to evangelical movements that have had a personal religious revival.
Megachurch: Shrine and thousands of devotees are gathered each week to attend a sermon.
New age: religious movements without dogma or church born from 60 years of the merger of Eastern and Western beliefs.
Pentecostalism: branch evangelism emphasis on emotional faith and direct divine intervention, such as healing.