In the 20th century religion, morality, politics and commerce aligned in America first to win WWII and then the Cold War. Growing up on the CRC left I always heard Civil Religion as a dirty word.

Both SCOTUS and POTUS gave significant and fundamentally religious speeches today, and appropriated religions terms and religious narratives.

The element that caught me by surprise was the enthusiasm of business community. (The demographics here have undoubtedly not escaped them. Did AARP go rainbow?) Franklin Graham had better find a new strategy unless he wants to follow Gandhi in home spinning a loin cloth. Everyone wanted in on the big celebration. I was thinking this when Jason shared the David French piece.

This is the latest iteration of American Civil religion. Church and God are optional this time around. They really were too last time but “Godless Communism” kept the church as a key ally. Not this time.

It has its theology that is again very close to Christian theology. Many will not be able to distinguish the two.

In this round, however, the institutional church will not fare as well.

The last time the religious and political right were put to the test. This time the left.