13. Text Analysis

1. What can you deduce from this text about David Riesman's personal attitude towards private colleges and universities?

2. What advantages and disadvantages of private universities does he mention?

14. Discussion

1. Can you think of any other points for or against private schools and universities which Riesman does not mention?

2. Do you think private schools and universities should have a place in a democratic society?

12 Religion

^{PART A Background Information}

HIGH DEGREE OF

RELIGIOUS

PARTICIPATION

RELIGION AND POLITICS

In most western societies, modernization has been accompanied by a marked decline in religious observance. America, in contrast, has remained unusually religious. Church buildings representing an astonishing variety of faiths line residential streets, outnumbering even the gas stations. Sunday morning traffic is typically congested as people drive to Sunday School and church. Most bookstores have an entire section of religious books and report a tremendous volume of sales of books about Christianity and Christian living. Bibles continue to be the nation's best-selling books.

Religiousness is conspicuous. Billboards, T-shirts, and bumper stickers bear messages such as "Jesus Saves." There are even a few Disneyland-type tourist parks, such as South Carolina's "Heritage USA," devoted entirely to religious themes. These visible reminders of America's religious activity are accom­panied by impressive statistics:

• More than nine out of ten Americans say they believe in God

• One third claim they are born-again Christians

• More than four out of ten attend church or synagogue at least once a week

• Two thirds are members of a local church or synagogue

Interest in religion is high even among young people, whose religious activity has typically been less regular than that of their parents and grand­parents. A Gallup poll indicates that young Americans are far more religious than their counterparts in most other countries. About₇41 percent of America's young people feel that religion should be "very important" in life, a percentage far greater than in Australia, Britain, France, Japan, Sweden, and West Germany.

Although the Constitution declares the separation of Church and State, religion has always pervaded American political life. The motto of the seal of the United States carries the biblical words, "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." When the pledge of allegiance to the American flag is recited, the two words "under God" receive emphasis. American currency bears the inscription "In God We Trust."

Almost all American presidents have claimed affiliation with an established church. During inaugural ceremonies, U.S. presidents take their oath of office on the Bible. Every session of Congress opens with a prayer. Politicians frequently make reference to God and the Bible in their speeches. Religion is bound to have an influence on politics in a society where so many people value religion.

Gallup poll: see page 153.

206 AMERICA IN CLOSE-UP