America had always been awash in religion, particularly Christianity. Several Christian doctrines made their way into life over the decades, into politics, schooling and even thinking about right and wrong. But there’s also the sense in which these thoughts seem to demand faith.
These are some people’s very favourite beliefs, and some are less happy with them being everywhere. Here are 10 Christian doctrines that have been imposed upon America and triggered some pretty heated sentiments in the process.
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Prayer in Schools
There’s been an aggressive push to get prayer back into the public school. Some say it’s a good exercise in valuing religious freedom; others say that schools need to be a neutral space regarding religion. The argument has spawned lawsuits and polarised attitudes, particularly when it comes to children who are not of the same religion.
Ten Commandments in Public Spaces
A great many have fought to put the Ten Commandments up in the halls of the government and in the public realm. They consider it a way to pay tribute to the country’s Christian heritage. But others see it as transgressive, as combining religion and government in a manner that doesn’t account for the country’s religious pluralism.
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Opposition to Abortion
A great many Christians believe abortion is wrong. That’s because they think life starts from conception. That view has fuelled powerful backlash against abortion in the country. That has generated activism, and individuals have worked long and hard to legislate in line with their religious beliefs.
Same-Sex Marriage Opposition
Some Christians have been against gay marriage for years. It is not orthodox, they say, in the biblical interpretation of marriage. This position has permeated legislation and public policy, and has plagued courts and politicians for years. And while same-sex marriage is legal now, the debate remains.
Creationism in Education
Some have tried to integrate creationism (that God made the world) into science lessons at public schools. Some Christians think this ought to be taught alongside evolution, which they regard as at odds with religion. Yet others say that science class should teach science and churches should teach religion.
Blue Laws
In some states, you still can’t do certain things on Sundays like sell liquor. Such “blue laws” are part of Christian doctrine, which holds Sunday as a rest day. They are seen as antiquated by some, while others believe they’re a nice way to respect religion and say ‘let me take a break’.
Christian Symbols in Government
The proliferation of Christian symbols, such as crosses, in government institutions or the public arena has long been controversial. Some see them as respecting the country’s history, while others believe they infringe the separation of church and state. This argument often arises in the case of, say, town seals or religiously depicted monuments.
Religious Exemptions in Healthcare
The Christian church has even created some of the medical legislation, such as those regarding contraception and certain medical procedures that aren’t approved by certain religious denominations. For instance, some religious employers have asked for exemptions from providing birth control in their health plans because they believe it’s incompatible with their values.
Traditional Gender Roles
Gender is conceived in accordance with Christian doctrine about men’s and women’s place in family and society. This has had consequences for everything from marriage norms and parenting to discussions of women’s rights and equality. While most of them are now more up-to-date, such traditional attitudes still pervade many societies.
Religious Influence on Sexual Education
Many Christian organizations favour sex education only for abstinence at the school level. It is due to the idea that sex is only for married people. It’s shaped the way sexual education is taught in many states. It’s also sparked arguments about whether schools should give more detailed advice about birth control and safe sex.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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