One Nation Under God

How Corporate America Invented Christian America

By: Kevin M. Kruse

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Conventional wisdom holds that America has been a Christian nation since the Founding Fathers. But in One Nation Under God, historian Kevin M. Kruse argues that the idea of "Christian America" is nothing more than a myth - and a relatively recent one at that.

The assumption that America was, is, and always will be a Christian nation dates back no further than the 1930s, when a coalition of businessmen and religious leaders united in opposition to FDR's New Deal. With the full support of Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s, these activists - the forerunners of the Religious Right - propelled religion into the public sphere. Church membership skyrocketed; Congress added the phrase "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance and made "In God We Trust" the country's official motto. For the first time, America became a thoroughly religious nation.

Provocative and authoritative, One Nation Under God reveals how the comingling of money, religion, and politics created a false origin story that continues to define and divide American politics today.

©2015 Kevin M. Kruse (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Excellent

Fascinating book well worth reading.

As a practicing Christian and a republican I have a long wondered how the party of limited government became the party of big government when it comes to religion. This book is the story of how this occurred.

The book is well written and far from being the cure for insomnia. The narrator is also excellent with his intonation and impersonations.

For further background I would suggest God of Liberty: by Thomas S Kidd. This book fills in the historical gaps and is also excellent.

Myth bisting on a grand scale.

This is a book that tells the m history of how corporate leaders agenda false ministers created the myth that America is a Christian nation as a scheme to undercut Roosevelt's reforms. Very frustrating. How stupid congress can be when they smell a few votes. Also thinking about the slimy relationship between Nixon and Billy Graham. It makes me very sad and explains a lot today.

Capitalism partners with the church

everyone needs too understand the history behind the myth of America as a Christian nation.

History all Americans should know

If learning high school history included this our whole nation would benefit. And I am a Bible believing Christ following Christian.

Everyone Should Read This Book

An excellent overview of the history of the concept of America as a "Christian Nation," which was also very well read.

Eye Opening

Would you listen to One Nation Under God again? Why?

Yes, it is so much info that it requires a reread

What did you like best about this story?

The detail of the research

Accurate, but not as surprising as described

Maybe 20% new and interesting material and 80% standard history. Also, the narrator is worst I've heard on a professional audiobook. His inflections are hyperbolic like he's reading to a kindergarten.

Unconvinced

Interesting account on the rise of libertarian right wing Christianity in the middle of the twentieth century. However, the main thesis is flawed. There have been many breaches in the wall of separation between church and state from the beginning of the republic. Unconvinced.

Essential (and enjoyable!) listening

Compelling narrative, impeccably narrated. If you're at all concerned about or interested in the role of religion in America, you'll come away better for having engaged with this history - and that's true regardless of which political camp you identify with.

Required reading

Dr. Kruse shows the roots of American Civil religion and the importance of that information. As a theologian, I feel that this history should be known by every American who believes in the paramount importance of the first amendment as we face a rise in right wing Christian nationalism.