Topic 3: Global relations

Subtopic 1: Power and Influence

Key question: How does religion impact togetherness in the USA?
Does religion bring Americans together? How does religion influence the American society ?
*adapted from Let’s Meet up Hatier

THE ROOTS OF RELIGION. MAP OF THE RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE OF THE USA.

Cultural background The Mayflower

In September 1620, the ship the Mayflower left Plymouth England with 100 men and women. Most of them
where are freaking religious persecution, others were on board just to be sure of a safe passage and didn't have
any religion. 35 of them were radical Puritans who had been living in the Netherlands for 10 years after
breaking with the Church of England. Others were separatists named the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ only in 1820, they
had much more tolerant approach to religion. the repressive policies adopted by King James I and his successor,
Charles I, towards religious nonconformists caused many people to follow the Pilgrims to the New World over
the next decade.

1. Read The Mayflower and comment on the high percentage of Protestants.

The Mayflower traveled in 1620 from Europe to the USA with Protestants and Puritans who were escaping
religious persecussions. They were keen to practice their religion freely this is why there is this urge for
religious freedom written in the condition.
 2. Describe the classification of the different religions in the USA.
There is a majority of protestants in all the United States, there is many Catholic and a little bit Mormon and
other christian, the other religions are under represented.

3. Identify the geographical zone called “The Bible Belt”and explain this term.
The Bible Belt refers to a region in the USA know for it’s strong adherence to conservative evangelical and
protestant christian beliefs.
The people in this area are fervent churchgoers

RELIGION: AN AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE

DOC A Why Americans are more religious than Europeans:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PnNW8DEzfMdA893OwLRX6OtlH8PZr-Nv/view?usp=sharing
Listen and complete:
1. Find information about America’s early settlers.

a. Country of origin: 1. England 2. Spain 3. Netherlands?

b. What they wanted in America: Economic opportunity

2. Circle the best definition of the word “unfettered”. Not restrained, restricted, or limited; completely free
or unrestricted.

a. completely lacking in freedomb. not limited by rulesc. chained up

3. Note down what happens to the population when a country “practices a religion unfettered”. When a
country practices a religion unfettered, it can lead to a diverse and tolerant society with increased religious
participation but may also pose challenges related to extremism and social divisions.

4. Fill in the table with information from the video.

Religion in Europe today Religion in America today

5.Give a definition of secularism.

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6. Explain what Pakman says about the correlation between maths/science and religiosity.
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7. You have one minute to answer the question: Why are Americans more religious than
Europeans?

Doc B Obama’s 2013 inauguration.

1. Listen to the audio, explain what the 1st journalist says about of the Bible when
taking the oath of office
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2. What do we learn about Barak Obama’s inauguration? How does he account for his choices?
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3. Using both documents write a short paragraph on the place of religion in the USA.
Doc C Religion comes to America

1. List the characteristics passed down from America’s religious past.

2. What important tradition is mentioned. What do you know about this tradition?

3. Is the journalist biased or unbiased? Quote the text to justify your answer.
4. Show the impact of religion on American life today.