Overview
Discussion Post 1:
What are the key differences Gorski describes between civil religion and religious nationalism? How do the two ideas develop in this historical time period? Cite examples from the text. 200+ words.
Discussion Post 2:
This week you read a famous speech by Frederick Douglass which employed rhetoric that may call to mind civil religion. For instance:
“This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. This, to you, is what the Passover was to the emancipated people of God.”
“At the very moment that they are thanking God for the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty, and for the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, they are utterly silent in respect to a law which robs religion of its chief significance, and makes it utterly worthless to a world lying in wickedness.”
What other examples can you find of this type of rhetoric in his speech? What is the purpose of this rhetoric? Why might this rhetoric be considered a form of "civil religion", or at least a use of civil religion for a purpose? 200+ words not including quotations which should be used.
Discussion Post 3: (review this week's course material.)
Description: Students will submit a response of 500+ words to the course materials for the week, summarizing and reflecting on the material for that week.
Grading Criteria: Students who meet word count requirements, use proper capitalization, punctuation, and grammar, cite sources, and demonstrate they have read/watched all course materials for that week will be awarded credit for completion of the assignment. Deductions for partial fulfillment of these requirements may be awarded.