“Ceremonial Deism” - rbroughman

What’s ceremonial deism?

It’s a legal term.

But what’s it mean?

It refers to the de facto religion of the United States, a vestigial form of Christianity visible in patriotic, national practices. 

E.g., in God we trust, one nation under God, etc.

Wait, but doesn’t that violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment?

According to the Supreme Court, it doesn’t.

What?

It’s been ruled that these national, Christian practices no longer have any substantial connection to Christianity.

So then why aren’t they done away with?

Because it was often the will of the Founders and shapers of American history that religion inform politics, so echoes are still present in patriotic imagery. 

But, if it’s not even really religious anymore, then… ?

Correct. The Supreme Court ruling to keep Christian allusions in national practice fails both at preserving the Constitutional right to freedom of religion and at honoring the (once) meaningful expressions that it safeguards.

So, since “ceremonial deism” offends Americans past and present, outside and inside Christianity, then why have it at all?

Why indeed.

“eggdetail” - rbroughman

“eggdetail2” - rbroughman