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Abstract

This article explores the profound religious underpinnings of American exceptionalism, positing that the nation’s identity and political culture are deeply infused with a uniquely American civil religion. This civil religion is characterized by an eschatological hope that traces back to the very origins of the United States, serving as the cornerstone for its ideology and principles. American civil religion is not static but dynamic, constantly shaped by each era's major social, political, and cultural trends. It democratizes the millennial and apocalyptic visions traditionally belonging to the sacred realm, reinterpreting these religious narratives within the secular context of national destiny and policy. This has positioned the United States distinctly from other nations, fostering a sense of a “manifest destiny” and an “ever-changing errand” to create a “heavenly” society on earth. However, this merging of sacred purpose with secular governance also seeds deep polarization, as political debates are imbued with an almost theological significance that champions religious liberty while often unknowingly reflecting an evolving civil religion. By examining how these religiously charged visions influence everything from political rallies to policy decisions, this article sheds light on the pervasive yet often subtle role of civil religion throughout American history in both uniting and dividing its society.

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