A research paper of a maximum of 3,250 to 3,500 words in length.
The proposal I submitted for this paper was:
For my final paper, I wish to focus on the relationship between Christianity and democracy in the United States of America. Our government’s stand relies on its neutrality, meaning it focuses on the stance of being secular so that it can cater to the needs of all people. In fact, the US constitution acknowledges and encourages religious diversity. However, the US government was first established by people from the UK, who were at the time Christian. In my research, I want to dive into the origins of the US government and explore the role Christianity played when first establishing the US government as well as how its tenets influenced American democracy after having gained independence from Great Britain. It is important to note that the very notion that the government must be secular stemmed from the fact that politics were previously influenced by and based on religion. Considering the religious backgrounds of our founding fathers, I think it is somewhat inevitable that the doctrines upon which our government was established has been influenced by Christianity even as they tried to establish a secular government. Therefore, I think it will be interesting to explore the remnants of Christian tenets in our secular government and the role Christianity continues to play in American democracy in this research paper.
The response from my professor is as follows:
I appreciate your wanting to dive deeply into what is a complicated debate that has produced a lot of good scholarship and also a lot of arguments! Below you will find some sources from various points of view.
The AP story describes the debate drawing on competing views.
This is a strong polemic against the idea that the nation’s founding was religious: https://www.amazon.com/Godless-Constitution-Moral-Defense-Secular/dp/0393328376/ref=asc_df_0393328376/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=658943212004&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8129736951911798114&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007921&hvtargid=pla-487343856426&psc=1&mcid=f3093707009c3441a3a7e95d550ed0c9
This is an important book on the most important Pilgrim/Puritan speech in American history: https://www.amazon.com/As-City-Hill-Americas-Famous/dp/0691181594/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=32FX9LZC7T2LP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XYcbKKcPt7KFFCV_TrS96uyOytxLtaT19mXms8_SmJSgwfvAqMymipsXs0BVXRuKGxiOH-hrCNKEJ_c6-9Du9OQL6devk4z2YM7BCP9Ti8M9yRum2GHG_1A6lIe2uk2Ht7d-oqeNdR2OqtJtre1iw1nlvOcswz1g7oUEww_kF7QnBmZ46lhgy_mUrtYuEryj1ZcsX4HTz5JMXB3D_Of3_A.6crBOazbXwfznZBIvVO0-pHEK2CcFa5czVEDZat4qXc&dib_tag=se&keywords=daniel+t+rodgers&qid=1712254949&sprefix=daniel+t+ro%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-3
Here is a book that is precisely about the religious views of the Founders. It may be the best source for you. https://www.amazon.com/Faiths-Founding-Fathers-David-Holmes/dp/0195300920
Here is a news story about the very argument you want to join:
https://apnews.com/article/american-founders-christian-nation-conservative-beliefs-4ea388e8d80c54016a6a4460cbef9b82
And here is a very interesting balanced look at the question:
You do not have to read through all of the sources provided above, but I would like you to use the news article and the book about the religious views of the Founders.
There is no set citation style you need to follow for this paper.
