Civil religion and functional alternatives - Bellah (1991; 2013)

Civil religion - Bellah (1991; 2013)

• Belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself

• E.g. 🇺🇸 - ‘Americanism’ (faith in the ‘🇺🇸 way of life’) - nationalism replaces religion

• More unifying than any Church as claims the loyalty of all 🇺🇸 in a multi-faith society

Functions of American civil religion

1. Sacralisation of the ‘American way of life’

2. Assurance of social cohesion across ethnic and religious backgrounds

4 features of American civil religion

1. Loyalty to the nation-state

2. Being a ‘true’ American

3. Belief in an ‘American God’

4. 4th July

4 rituals in American civil religion

1. Pledge of allegiance to the flag

2. National anthem

3. Lincoln memorial

4. ‘One Nation under God’

Functional alternatives - Bellah (1991; 2013)

• Non-religious beliefs/practices similar to those of an organised religion

  • Reinforce shared values

  • Maintain social cohesion

Example of functional alternatives

• Nazi Germany, Soviet Union

  • Secular beliefs and rituals that unite society

CRITICISM of civil religion and functional alternatives

• Ignore what sets religion apart- a belief in the supernatural