📘 Lexicon Entry: Civil Religion

Short Definition
A set of sacred symbols, rituals, and beliefs that provide transcendent meaning and legitimacy to a political community, functioning as a quasi-religious system alongside or in tension with traditional religious traditions
Definition
Civil Religion, a concept developed by sociologist Robert Bellah in his seminal 1967 essay "Civil Religion in America," refers to a set of sacred symbols, rituals, and beliefs that provide transcendent meaning and legitimacy to a political community. Unlike traditional religions, civil religion focuses on the sacred dimensions of collective political life, creating shared narratives about national purpose, destiny, and moral obligation. Bellah argued that American civil religion draws upon biblical themes and language while remaining distinct from Christianity, creating a public religious dimension that can unite citizens across denominational lines. However, civil religion becomes problematic when it conflates national identity with divine purpose, leading to forms of Christian Nationalism and Identity Synthesis that subordinate theological integrity to political loyalty. The concept provides crucial background for understanding how MAGA Christianism and Dominative Christianism function as corrupted forms of civil religion that transform political movements into sacred causes requiring absolute allegiance.
Category
Theological Genealogy
Keywords
civil religion, Robert Bellah, American civil religion, political theology, sacred nationalism, public religion, civic faith
Citation Guide
Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Civil Religion.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].
Academic Research
Robert Bellah’s foundational essay “Civil Religion in America” (1967) established theoretical framework
Subsequent scholarship by scholars like John Wilson, Catherine Albanese, and Conrad Cherry developed the concept
Critical perspectives from theologians like Stanley Hauerwas and William Cavanaugh highlight theological problems
Contemporary research by Philip Gorski examines civil religion’s role in American political polarization
International comparative studies show how civil religion functions in different national contexts
Key Authors
Path Navigation
Contemporary Movements: Christian Nationalism, Identity Synthesis
Historical Context: [Covenant Theology](placeholder-url), [Syncretism](placeholder-url)
Last Updated
May 22, 2025
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*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*
Historical Origins
Jean-Jacques Rousseau first coined the term “civil religion” in *The Social Contract* (1762)
Rousseau argued that every state needs a civic faith to bind citizens together in common purpose
Robert Bellah revived and developed the concept for analyzing American society in 1967
Bellah identified distinctly American civil religious themes in founding documents and presidential speeches
The concept gained prominence during the Vietnam War era as scholars examined religion’s role in legitimating state power
Theoretical Framework
Functions as sacred canopy providing transcendent meaning to political community
Creates shared narratives about national purpose, destiny, and moral obligation
Employs religious language and symbolism without being identical to institutional religion
Establishes sacred times (holidays), sacred spaces (monuments), and sacred texts (founding documents)
Provides rituals of integration (pledges, ceremonies) and differentiation (us vs. them narratives)
Key Characteristics
Sacred symbols that represent national identity and values
Ritual practices that reinforce collective belonging and shared purpose
Prophetic dimension that calls the nation to live up to its ideals
Priestly dimension that sanctifies existing political arrangements
Narrative structure that interprets national history in terms of divine purpose
Moral demands that transcend immediate political interests
Integration function that creates unity across religious and cultural differences
American Manifestations
Biblical language in founding documents (“city upon a hill,” “promised land”)
Presidential rhetoric invoking divine blessing and guidance
Memorial practices treating fallen soldiers as martyrs for sacred cause
Flag rituals and pledge ceremonies as acts of civic devotion
National holidays that commemorate sacred moments in national history
Sacred spaces like Arlington Cemetery, Mount Rushmore, and war memorials
Civil religious documents like the Declaration of Independence and Gettysburg Address
Theological Problems
Risk of idolatry by treating nation as ultimate rather than penultimate value
Temptation to conflate divine will with national interest
Potential to subordinate prophetic critique to patriotic loyalty
Tendency to baptize violence and injustice in the name of sacred national purpose
Confusion of Christian identity with national identity
Reduction of complex moral questions to simple patriotic categories
Exclusion or marginalization of those who don’t share civil religious commitments
Contemporary Mutations
Christian Nationalism represents fusion of civil religion with evangelical Christianity
MAGA Christianism transforms political movement into quasi-religious devotion
Identity Synthesis shows how civil religion enables fusion of religious and political identities
Tribal Epistemology emerges when civil religious loyalty overrides commitment to truth
Binary Apocalypticism uses civil religious language to divide world into absolute good and evil
Positive Functions
Can provide shared values and common purpose in pluralistic society
May offer prophetic critique of national failings and call for moral renewal
Creates space for civic engagement motivated by transcendent values
Can inspire movements for justice and social reform
Provides framework for understanding national obligations to universal human values
Theological Alternatives
Prophetic Patriotism maintains love of country while resisting idolatrous nationalism
Counter-Imperial theology challenges civil religion’s tendency to sacralize state power
Being With offers alternative to instrumentalizing religion for political purposes
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