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readtome_sheri's review against another edition
3.0
It was interesting (and scary) to hear how corporations and certain Christian organizations were able to take advantage of the hysteria over communism during the 40s and 50s to inextricably link free enterprise with godliness. Then Eisenhower helped perpetuate the Christian nation myth by chiseling huge chunks out of the wall between church and state (the wall that truly makes America great) when he signed "In God we trust" into law in 1956. It seems alternative facts have been around for quite a while.
dustlesswalnut's review against another edition
2.0
I don't think it lives up to the title. There is some interesting information about the historic battle over school prayer, the national motto, and Presidential faith over time, but there is never a very clear or distinct line drawn between "corporate America" and "christian America". It has more explanation of America's faith makeup in general than a capitalist/corporate push to force a history on us that isn't there.
bookworm1858's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 - though I found that in general, I prefer Kruse's pithier thoughts on Twitter, I did end up enjoying his long-form prose. My particular favorite chapter was about the work of Hollywood in supporting these corporate interests in pursuing religious patriotism. As the overall argument built, I was struck again about history repeating - see national exhortations for prayer in schools dissolving into problems as local leaders have to get specific. How often do generalities become sticky when they have to be made concrete and specific? I also appreciate the light on performative religion, something I haven't quite been able to wrap my head around as a deeply private and I feel religious person - how do you cheapen your faith in pursuit of power? (Quite easily it seems!)
kristenmstewart's review against another edition
5.0
If you want to know more about how much of our public religion is a relatively modern invention, or, as the subtitle asserts, how corporate America invented Christian America, I’d commend this to you. Kruse is an academic but I found it accessible and readable. (9/10)
xennicole's review against another edition
4.0
The last paragraph:
"This history reminds us that our public religion is, in large measure, an invention of the modern era. The ceremonies and symbols that breathe life into the belief that we are 'one nation, under God' were not, as many Americans believe, created alongside the nation itself. Their parentage stems not from the founding fathers but from an era much closer to our own, the era of our own fathers and mothers, our grandfathers and grandmothers."
"This history reminds us that our public religion is, in large measure, an invention of the modern era. The ceremonies and symbols that breathe life into the belief that we are 'one nation, under God' were not, as many Americans believe, created alongside the nation itself. Their parentage stems not from the founding fathers but from an era much closer to our own, the era of our own fathers and mothers, our grandfathers and grandmothers."
guinness74's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A striking history of how the phrases ‘one nation under god’ and ‘in god we trust’ came to be de facto mottoes and reverential guidelines through the machinations of capitalists who abhorred the increase of government and the ideas of the New Deal. Kruse invites us to understand that this ‘ceremonial deism’ is not constitutionally based, rather it is Madison Avenue crafted. An excellent work that is diligently researched.
shermansays's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Abortion
dejaffa's review against another edition
5.0
If you have ever wondered how Christianity went from sharing all goods in common [1] to Christian leaders in America proclaiming that Christianity is a religion of unrestricted free enterprise [2], this is the book that explains it.
This book should be read by anyone who wants to be a Christian in America, to understand how we got to where we are. I cannot emphasize this enough.
(1) "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." (Acts 2:44-45)
[2] Franklin Graham, Pat Robertson, etc.
This book should be read by anyone who wants to be a Christian in America, to understand how we got to where we are. I cannot emphasize this enough.
(1) "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." (Acts 2:44-45)
[2] Franklin Graham, Pat Robertson, etc.
jonathanfreirich's review against another edition
4.0
A truly insight and shocking look at the real history of religion in American politics. Corporate America created Christian America originally to combat FDR and the New Deal. Really. Read it and join us for our Book Club to discuss it on Sunday, May 22.