Mike Johnson

February 17,1997
English 101/ Hicks
Religion/Faith
Over the last several decades America has been evolving towards many sig
nificant changes. One of these changes has posed a question, whether or not Amer
ica has become secular. Although we may be uncertain of many of these changes an
d how they will affect our future, the answer to our secularity is quite obvious
. America has indeed become secular.
I think that in a society where being successful is everything, our rel
igious beliefs tend to get lost in the survival of the fittest lifestyle that we l
ead everyday. Of course we all have certain standards in which we believe and li
ve by. A good example of the standard behavior that makes us so secular is in Wi
l Herbergs essay This American Way Of Life. Herbergs says so well , the American
way of life is a symbol by which Americans define themselves and establish their
unity. The author means to imply that unity is something we all strive for. To b
e American is to be part a huge family, no matter what gender, color, or backgro
und. We stick together. We fight together, we laugh together, we grieve together
as Americans.
Terms like democracy, individuality, self-reliance are all words we rela
te to as Americans. We teach our kids that we should be grateful everyday to be
Americans. In this country we can choose our own destination. We can be whatever
we want. I think that being a secular country brings us together and makes us
stronger.We dont have questions we cant answer. We dont hear stories of people or t
hings we cant prove exist. We know what we have overcome to be where we are today
, and we know what we want to plan for our future. As quoted in Herbergs essay, T
he things that make us proud to be Americans are of the soul and of the spirit. T
hat quote said by Mr. Eisenhower exemplifies an American religion, or standard b
y which we look for guidance and reassurance.And it is not something we should b
e ashamed of. Our country has survived more that other countries can only dream
of. So many have suffered for the well being of our country. It is what makes us
America.
To me it would seem that religion has become a thing of the past. It see
ms as though in the past more people than not saw their religion to be very imp
ortant to them, it consumed their daily life.Now-a-days it seems that the religi
ous way of life is left behind when mass lets out. So why are parents still ins
isting on that one hour mass every week? I think its because people are confusin
g religion with tradition. You arent religious because you are born with Catholic
parents. You cant be forced into religion. It takes a certain amount of faith to
be religious. And then in turn your faith is the dedication that brings you to
church each week or to saying grace before each meal. I dont believe that whether
or not youre religious is a prerequisite to being a good person. Which raises a
good question, Do kids need religion? In Anthony Brandts essay Do Kids Need Relig
ion he quotes Religious education raised the issue of honesty. How does religion
relate to honesty, other that the honesty to ourselves whether or not we truly b
elieve. I think that honesty relates more to the secularity of our society. I th
ink that being American would raise an issue of honesty. Our ancestors were hone
st to themselves when they helped to create America. Later Brandt goes on to say
too it is impossible to predict with any confidence what affect religious educa
tion will have on children. Which is precisely my point. Why are we teaching them
things that arent sure will help them later on in life. We should be teaching th
em history so they will grow up knowing who they are, who their ancestors were a
nd what we learned from them. Rather than teaching our kids to believe in one sp
ecific person(s) to believe with out question.In Brandts essay a mother says, I t
hink you can transmit values to your kids but belief is different. I think that r
eligion is very much an individual thing while, secularity is a bond that helps
our society strive for achievement.
Brandt has a statement that is something I think most anyone can relate
to, he says, The longing for meaning is something we all share parent and child a
like.I think that being a secular country gives us a sense of meaning. Instead of
being separated into categories of who believes what and why, we stick together
because we all share one thing in common we are all American. And I think that
the pride we have in common is all we need.