Religion and Politics in America: From the Post-Columbian Era to the Trump Era

Fall (14 hours or more) | This course is completed

80 South Main Street Lebanon, NH 03784 United States

Conference Room

NEW

9/28/2017-11/16/2017

2:00 PM-4:00 PM EDT on Th

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$80.00

8 sessions, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
September 28 through November 16, 2017
Kilton Library - West Lebanon, NH
Course Fee: $80

It’s no secret that the past generation has seen a significant rise in the wedding of Christian fundamentalism and politics. But the political history of America has often been driven by home-grown religious movements. From the early European settlers to the current battles over control of all three branches of federal and state governments, passionate religious conviction has driven many of the most significant political movements and events in American history. This course will cover the following:

  • The Settling of America — Beyond Economics, Religious Refuge

  • The First Great Awakening and the American Revolution

  • The Second Great Awakening and Manifest Destiny

  • The Third Great Awakening and the Civil War

  • Millennialism and America’s International Interventions

  • The Prairie Revivals, Prohibition and Organized Crime

  • The War Against Godless Communism

  • Christian Piety and the Sexual Revolution


Perhaps more than in any other modern nation, political and religious movements have used each other throughout American history. There have certainly been more religious revivals in America than in any other modern nation. Those “awakenings” have not only influenced the life choices of those affected by them, but also their conduct as citizens and political involvement. We will analyze the dynamics of the interchange between religious and political movements, their motives and goals, as well as their outcomes and how they relate to current political events.

  • There are required texts for this course.

Phil Tierney has been an Episcopal priest for over 45 years. He has earned degrees in Philosophy, Biblical Studies, Theology and Psychotherapy (including an evangelical college). He has served chaplaincies at Georgetown, Virginia Tech, Foxcroft and Madeira School. He served seven churches in five states and two other countries. He has written two books and volunteers at churches and several non-profits. His spouse and he roam from Hanover to Rhode Island and Costa Rica. He has four children and four grandkids.