Online Seminar: One Nation under God? The Role of Christianity in the United States

“Every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches in the name of Jesus Christ.” With these words, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asked the American public to pray for victory in the war against Iran and for the safety of the troops. Such overt displays of Christianity and religious appeals for a national cause have become commonplace in the second Trump administration, at the same time the President and Vice-President challenge the papacy and share AI images of Donald Trump imitating Jesus. What do these developments signal about the role of Christianity and religion at large in the United States? How do they differ from the original role that religion played in the United States? How and why have religion and politics fused in the U.S.? And how is the culture at large reflecting these developments? In our seminar, we want to take a closer look at the role of Christianity in the United States by looking back at the past 250 years and discussing its contemporary relevance. 

The seminar is geared towards teachers, yet we welcome members of the public to participate!