On October 20, the Gregory J. Grappone ‘04 Humanities Institute hosted a lecture as part of the 2022-2023 Big Thought series. Led by Professor Andrew Moore and Ryan Raybuck ‘23, the presentation entitled “Is America Still One Nation Under God?” emphasized both political reform and division stemming from the country’s Christian heritage.
The Humanities Institute at Saint Anselm College seeks to use this year-long series of lectures, panels, and discussions to explore shared cultural beliefs, ranging from religious faith to superstitions and even conspiracy theories. Ultimately, the Institute wants to deepen an understanding of our core beliefs, and how our diverse backgrounds and experiences “inform, strengthen, challenge, or change” these set values.
Professor Andrew Moore is a Professor of History and Government at Saint Anselm College. With the help of Ryan Raybuck, a senior Communication major from Greenwich, Connecticut, Professor Moore used this event to examine questions about American history and the nature of contemporary American society.
The event began with an opening statement from Dr. Gary Bouchard, Director of the Humanities Institute. He emphasized the importance of exploring the things we have difficulty finding common ground. Professor Moore, who directs the American Studies program at Saint Anselm, was presented by James Maloney, a junior politics major.
Professor Moore began his lecture by highlighting the need to make a “radical difference” in how different groups view each other, especially in searching for a “common culture.”
“There are assumptions built into the notion of America as one nation under God”, Moore stated. “We need to challenge and offer” alternative perspectives, and in engaging with this question, “democracy can be better protected.”
Moore continued, claiming that, “on both ends of the political and religious spectrum,” God is used as a grounding point in morality; this can become dangerous, however, when applied to certain groups.
"Christian nationalism drives the current debate over America’s religious heritage; it’s ahistorical. This ‘myth’ of a single Christian heritage is used to advance an idea of a national identity or agenda.”
He adds that this ideology was a driving factor in the January 6th attacks on the Capitol. According to Moore, a public life primarily rooted in Christianity and its moral vision is ahistorical and unconstitutional. Furthermore, the enforcement of secular views is similarly ahistorical and unconstitutional.
Ultimately, is America one nation under God? Moore elaborates, stating that, while a Christian majority exists, and it is fair to claim that most Americans themselves are ‘under God,’ America is not ‘one nation’ ruling under Divine authority. Moore sees “two concepts in tension.”
He continues by outlining the nation’s “moral impulses” in Christianity throughout history. The Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1892 by a Christian socialist, did not initially read “one nation, under God''; nor did it specify the United States – just ‘the Republic.’ A 1954 Act of Congress, urged by the Knights of Columbus, added the phrase above. This was particularly done under the backdrop of the Cold War, to denounce the “pagan doctrine of communism.”
Instead of having faith in a particular religion, as Moore explains, Americans were expected to have faith in national identity. As a result of the 20th century, pride in the American identity became a unifying religion.
Moore then moved on, discussing the use of history as “ammunition,” from either side of the political or religious spectrum, specifically in proving points in contemporary America and politics. He stresses the importance of understanding the true history of Christian evolution in America. Since the country’s founding, religion has played a large role in developing the American language, culture, and values. Interestingly, he notes that the Constitution serves as a secular framework for the government – citing Article VI and the First Amendment.
The moral consciousness of America has been historically rooted in the Christian faith. Moore cites a variety of examples, spanning from the temperance, abolition, and suffrage movements of the 19th century to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
Ultimately, “the founding fathers wrote the Constitution with human sinfulness in mind.” This requires what Moore refers to as “habits of restraint” in protecting against “excesses of democracy.” Moore states, “I think Christianity can and should check our impulses; we need more Christian humility.”
Professor Moore concluded his lecture by arguing that the first step in understanding this question would be to educate ourselves on history. He stresses learning an accurate history, and engaging in true narratives, as history is rife with complexities and nuances.
Ryan Raybuck subsequently responded, using a philosophical reasoning approach.
“I believe America is not one nation under God; we are under God, not collectively; only on Sundays or national tragedies”
Raybuck reemphasized the two concepts, i.e., Christian nationalism and secularism, in tension with each other. According to Raybuck, church and state would need to be conjoined if America was truly considered a nation ‘under God'. He uses the temple of Buddhism conjunct with the Thai monarchy and the country’s success in forging a national identity under one religion.
Raybuck continued, arguing that the country’s psyche is rooted in philosophical subjectivity. Using Generation Y and Z, he claims that America’s younger demographic is the lowest churchgoing population and the highest in progressive values.