Research Catalog

Title

Americanism : the fourth great Western religion / David Gelernter.

Author

Gelernter, David Hillel.

Publication

New York : Doubleday, [2007], ©2007.

Supplementary Content

• Contributor biographical information
• Publisher description

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

x, 229 pages; 22 cm

Summary

What does it mean to "believe" in America? Why do we speak of our country as having a higher purpose? Author Gelernter traces the emergence of America as the embodiment of a powerful religious idea. Americanism begins with the Puritan settlers in New England who saw themselves as the new children of Israel and whose faith-based ideals of liberty, equality, and democratic governance had a greater influence on the nation's founders than the Enlightenment. These concepts were gradually transformed into a secular religion of freedom, with followers throughout the world. Its adherents have included oppressed peoples everywhere--from the patriots of the Hungarian Revolution to the martyred Chinese dissidents of Tiananmen Square. Americanism is a powerful reminder of America's dedication to spreading freedom--surely one of the most profound and beautiful religious ideas the world has ever known.--From publisher description.

Subject

• Religion and politics > United States
• Christianity and politics > United States
• Judaism and politics > United States
• United States > Religion
• United States > Church history

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

The world-creating English Bible -- American Zionism : the Puritan dream of America -- Revolution and the American creed -- Abraham Lincoln, America's last and greatest founding father -- The Great War makes the modern world -- The emergence of modern Americanism -- The new covenant.

ISBN

• 9780385513128
• 0385513127

LCCN

2007011794

OCLC

• ocn122261606
• 122261606
• SCSB-5462460

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries