Religion

Were there major religious issues during the 1950s?

 ** The Feminist Movement, which was a series of campaigns to demand women’s rights, from domestic violence to maternity leave; The Second Great Awakening, which expressed Arminian theology by which every person could be saved through revivals. **

** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsMolaBBAMI  **

** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QfzrUbbgws  **

What role did religion play in the lives of the "average American"? ** President Eisenhower was not a religious man; he officially joined the Presbyterian Church only in 1953, because he thought some form of piety was appropriate for a president. But during the Fifties, religion made a big resurgence in America. In 1950, 49% of Americans were church members; by 1960, the figure had jumped to 69%. In keeping with the split personality of the decade, there were really two separate religious revivals. The first was the type of public religion typified by Eisenhower's stance. This was a reaction to the "godless" Communism of America's enemies. The president said, "Our government makes no sense unless it is founded on a deeply felt religious faith—and I don't care what it is." Eisenhower was worried about citizens "deadened in mind and soul by a materialistic philosophy of life." **[|**37**]** In 1954, he signed a bill to add "one nation under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. Two years later, Congress made "In God We Trust" the national motto of the United States. **

What was the relationship between religion and government?  ** A different kind of religious impulse motivated evangelical Christians, typified by the Reverend Billy Graham. Graham founded his Evangelistic Association in 1950 in a small office with a single secretary. Eight years later, he employed 200 people, had a weekly television show, and was taking in $2 million a year. In other words, it was an “on-off” good relationship. **

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