英美概況 英文課件美國宗教

1、Chapter 4 ReligionPart Two American ReligionLearning Focus Christianity WASP National Religion Self-improvement Individualism Volunteerism Introduction to British and American CultureBefore You ReadWarm-upWhat is the most popular religion in the United States? _Do Americans have an official national

2、 religion? _What are American Values? _ Introduction to British and American CultureReligious DiversityIntroduction to British and American CultureJudaismHinduism“For we know that our patchwork heritage is strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non

3、-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.”Christianity Three major religions in the worldChristianity Islam BuddhismBelieve in GodRead the BibleThe Roman Catholic ChurchThe Eastern Orthodox ChurchThe Protestant Church Introduction to British and Ame

4、rican CultureChristianity Three major religious groups in the U.S.ProtestantCatholic Jewish Introduction to British and American CultureAmerican culture is based on Christianity.Protestantism 16th century: the Reformation 1620: the Mayflower 1776: The Independence of the U.S.A. 1790: the first censu

5、s held -90% was WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) Introduction to British and American CultureChristian FestivalsChristmas Origin: Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ Symbols: Christmas carols Midnight Mass Easter Origin: Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ Symbols: Easter eggs Easter B

6、unny Introduction to British and American Culture The ruling concept: The separation of church and stateChurch and the American SocietyReligious influenceExamplesEducation PoliticsMilitarySocial welfare Clergy used to be the presidents of famous universities in America.There must be a position for c

7、lergy in the American Congress.A member of the clergy is always following an army to the battlefield.Churches provide food, health care and shelters for the people in need. Introduction to British and American CultureNational Religion The U.S.A. has no state church.National Patriotism Religion Natio

8、nal Religion Introduction to British and American CultureBeliefs and Values Self-improvement and material success Individual freedom and self-reliance Competition and privacy Volunteerism and charity Introduction to British and American CultureSelf-improvement & Material SuccessDefinition: Self-

9、improvement is one of the most important values mainly held by Protestants in the U.S. . They think if they improve themselves, they can get forgiveness and grace directly from God. Some Protestants lives are changed through self-improvement. Others believe a relationship with God will improve their

10、 lives and will lead them to Heaven after death. Introduction to British and American CultureSelf-improvement & Material Success The achievement of material success is the most widely respected form of self-improvement in the United States. Introduction to British and American CultureWorking har

11、d Doing the “calling ”Being blessed by GodMaking material successGlorifying God Individual Freedom & Self-reliance WASP wanted to set up free colonies. The Bill of Rights limits the power of the government to restrict the rights of individual religion. In Americans view, individual freedom means

12、 the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without the outside influence from the government, the church or any other organized authority. Introduction to British and American CultureIndividual Freedom & Self-Reliance Americans have to pay a price for this individual freedom. Int

13、roduction to British and American CultureCompetition & Privacy Heroes, in Americans eyes, are the people who have stood out from the crowd by doing something first, best, or have overcome difficulties and succeeded in their lives. Competition working alone keeping their superiority and their sep

14、arateness from others paying high attention to privacy confidentiality Introduction to British and American CultureVolunteerism & CharityDefinition: Volunteerism refers to unpaid service. Helping others is a way of self-improvement. People contribute some of their time or money to charity, educa

15、tion and religion. This philosophy is called volunteerism.Religious Reasons: The Christians believe that if you love God, you will also love your neighbors. Introduction to British and American CultureVolunteerism & CharityDefinition: Charity means that individuals, organizations, and the state should offer help to those in need without an expectation that the favor will be returned.Religious Reasons: Christians believe that charity is a