One Nation Under God

February 9, 2015
Princeton historian Kruse (White Flight) wonders “why so many contemporary Americans came to believe that has always been and always should be a Christian nation” and finds answers among a group of 1930s anti–New Deal industrialists intent on promoting “Christian libertarianism”—a philosophy that preached the salvation of the individual through free enterprise. These businessmen, alongside clergy such as Billy Graham, saw an Eisenhower presidency as an opportunity to “inspire the American people to a more spiritual way of life.” Yet the Eisenhower Administration produced little more than ceremonial deism. Kruse argues that superficial displays—such as adding “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance—may have created the religious tradition we see today, but more significant attempts to bridge the gap between church and state were blocked by the Supreme Court. The movement may even have died were it not for Nixon, who cynically evoked nostalgia for 1950s-era stability to win the presidency and helped transform the Silent Majority into the Moral Majority. Kruse sidesteps the question of whether America actually had a religious founding, describing instead how 20th-century politicians exploited this idea, but by doing so, he misses a critical opportunity to separate history from myth and chicanery. B&w photos. Agent: Geri Thoma, Writers House.

Starred review from January 1, 2015
Kruse (History/Princeton Univ.; White Flight: Atlanta and the Making of Modern Conservatism, 2007, etc.) explains the links between capitalism and Christianity.This history is linked to industry's reaction to reform, born during the Progressive Era, revived by the New Deal and perfected during the Cold War. The rise of the Social Gospel movement under Theodore Roosevelt redefined Christianity as faith concerned with the public good more than personal salvation. Business leaders saw new regulations as a threat to their bottom lines and looked for help redefining their roles. The author credits three men and their movements that helped build "Christian Libertarianism": James Fifield's Spiritual Motivation Group, Abraham Vereide's prayer breakfast meetings and Billy Graham's evangelical revivals. Major corporations, prominent industrialists and business lobbies supported these evangelists, who were promoting free enterprise. Using scare tactics and playing up the links between piety and patriotism, these groups sold faith and freedom. Who would be so foolish as to deny or fight either? As Kruse explains the connections, readers will begin to understand that the rallies to promote church participation and fights for school prayer were basically big business's drive to eliminate the welfare state and labor unions. Throughout the book, the author exposes big money's manipulation of the masses. The religious leaders no doubt had good intentions, but many of them became rich promoting the evils of unions and the dangers of socialism. Beginning with Dwight Eisenhower, Republican presidents continued the fight. Enter Madison Avenue and Hollywood, and the propaganda drive and the sacralization of the state were in full tilt. In a book for readers from both parties, Kruse ably demonstrates how the simple ornamental mottoes "under God" and "In God We Trust," as well as the fight to define America as Christian, were parts of a clever business plan.

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Starred review from February 15, 2015

Patriotism, capitalism, and Christianity have served as the religious right's trinity for decades. Religion has become so well rooted in the Conservative movement that we scarcely consider how it all began. For Kruse (History, Princeton Univ.; White Flight), however, this question serves as the foundation for thorough and thought-provoking scholarship. Here the author takes us from an America battered by the Depression and enlightened by the New Deal--a time when industrialists faced a public relations nightmare--to modern-day America, where God, once a fleeting mention in the political arena, has become an indispensable shout-out. Kruse reveals the ingenious marketing campaign designed to bring scripture to big business. By uniting themselves with pastors, ministers, and reverends, industrialists gave themselves a trusted voice to explain the relationship between free enterprise, love of country, and love of God. VERDICT Kruse reveals the marketing machine behind American godliness with authority, insight, and clarity. He illustrates key turning points along the way to provide a cohesive picture of a well-powered movement. He hands us the agenda behind the Pledge of Allegiance, "in God we trust," and other cornerstones of American patriotism. In short, he exposes the PR man behind the pious curtain. [See "Editors' Spring Picks," p. 32.]--Erin Entrada Kelly, Philadelphia, PA

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2016
Kruse seeks to challenge Americans' assumptions about the basic relationship between religion and politics, claiming the idea that America is a Christian nation is actually of quite recent origin. In the early twentieth century, many Evangelical Christians were convinced that large government bureaucracies and the welfare state were the source of moral decay. Corporate America was a perfect partner to oppose FDR's New Deal policies. The common goals of these groups has had a profound effect on American society. Kruse's work is a fascinating account of the sacralization of the state over the past 70-odd years, ranging from the addition of the words under God to the Pledge of Allegiance to the framing of political policies in explicitly Christian terms. Curiously, his contention that Americans believe this has gone on from the founding of the nation is only assumed and never established. Nevertheless, this work poses at least two important questions: To what extent should the political rhetoric of a diverse democracy invoke piety, and should piety ever be coupled with patriotism?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)