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A State Religion? -- Never
''If we don't learn from history, we are destined to
repeat it
--
next semester."
Therefore, let us begin.
In the 1830's, ·eminent French political observer,
Alexis de Tocqueville, came to America searching for
the key to our greatness. He concluded:
I sought for the greatness and genius of
America in her commodious harbors and her
ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought for
the greatness and genius of America in her
fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was
not there.
I sought for the greatness and genius of
America in her rich mines and her vast world
commerce, and it was not there. I sought for
the greatness andgenius ofAmerica in her vast
public school system and her institutions of
learning, and it was not there. I sought for the
greatness and genius of America in her
matchless constitution, and it was not there.
Not until I went into the churches ofAmerica
and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness
did I understand the secret of her genius and
power. America is great because America is
good, and if America ever ceases to be good,
America will cease to be great
American church religion, he wrote, is "a political
institution which powerfully contributes to the
maintenance of a democratic republic among the
Americans" by supplying a strong moral consensus
amidst continuous political change.
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