Role of Christianity in the Progressive Era - Essay Example

Progressive era Role of Christianity in the Progressive Era The progressive era was a great time of change for America and across the globe. The way the population thought and did changed rapidly. Industry and businesses changed quickly. This had adverse effects on the era with many innovations and strong businessmen playing the role in causing the change. The progressive era lasted approximately 40 years from 1879-1920. Religion and social inequality were issues part of the progressive era. These bound to affect any society. Religion and social movements played a great role in the transformation of America during the era. According to Campell1, progressives were mainly comprised of middle class citizens who desired things to change. They believed that education and information were the key towards a better and fair society. Religion in the Progressive era Simon argues that, historically, there have there have been two primary chains of progressive thought concerning the proper relationship between politics and faith: secular and one emerging from religious social beliefs2. Secular progressive thought was associated with enlightened linearism. It is sceptical about particular religious beliefs, and exigent about keeping religion out of politics and politics out of religion. Thomas Jefferson and James Maddison advocated for religious conscience, freedom of conscience and separation of church and state. Liberalism caused a premium on rationality, self-determination, and personal morality above faith, public morality and church authority. Liberalism looked to establish a constitutional order in America that would stop the merging of government and religion that was prevalent in Europe3. During the progressive era, many religious leaders viewed liberalism as a taboo and worked hard to stop its spread. The Catholic Church was the dominant church at the time. They discorded with the liberal conception of faith and politics until the reconciling of Catholic teaching with liberal democracy. Eventually, these progressive beliefs triumphed in the country since many Americans accepted that one can practise their faith while keeping some religious beliefs from taking over the government and jeopardising the religious freedom of others. Another powerful chain of progressive thought came directly from religious beliefs during the social gospel movement. The preachers argued that they should apply everyone their teachings to solving public problems. Several protestant ministers and theologians in the 19th century such as Jennings Bryan and settlement founders such as Jane Addams espoused this belief4. Later, others such as martin Luther King followed fighting for civil rights. Many of the most prominent movements would not be possible without the inspirational value of socially conscious Christianity, and Judaism progressives working with the faithful beliefs applied in religious morality during the industrial age. They focused more on cooperative forms of life rather than exploitation of workers. The faith-driven progressives insisted that the government uphold the fundamental belief that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Everyone deserves dignity, freedom, political rights and economic opportunities in life. Religious progressives preached against individualism and materialism. They worked to discourage unnecessary military aggression and wars. Social gospel movements worked vigorously and played an essential role in search of economic fairness and justice in the 20th century. Yngve believed that the essential goal of Christianity was meant to transform society into the kingdom of God by regenerating human relationships and rebuilding them in according to the will of God5. The purpose of the above argument was to show how Christian teachings and the prophetic beliefs could be in use to foment social change during times of suffering and need. The effect of social movements The relationship between political progressivism and social movements has not always been harmonious. Social movements arose from minority citizens. They worked together to shape larger public consciousness about injustices. Social movements invariably advanced social political and moral causes around gender, class equality and racial discrimination with greater consistency than mainstream politics. Social movements’ expanded vote and civil rights protection often became uncontested parts of politics after prolonged struggles. In some cases, social movements banded together to form political institutions to challenge the status quo from outside. Examples include the formation of the Peoples’ Party and social reformers and republicans who formed the Progressive Party6. According to Theodore, progressive social movements were divided into two categories: movements for economic justice and movements for equality and individual rights. This raises the question7; what ties these movements if there is one? How do the movements fit with the political tradition and the intellectuals of the progressive era? Foremost, the movements developed in response to the high injustice in America that affected a significant portion of the population. Examples are discrimination of women, African-Americans, and gays and lesbians. All these led to the formation of various movements. Secondly, the social movements functioned as independent checks on mainstream progressive politics. They functioned as internal sects within the progressive tradition itself. Third, in terms of shared values, most of these movements were based on philosophical and early American tradition specifically the declaration of independence, and civic and republican ideals. They were also based on Religious faith. Finally, the movements in one way or another advanced the values of progressivism: a commitment to the common good; pragmatic reform; social justice; democracy; cooperation and interdependence; human equality; and freedom in its fullest sense. Different movements fought for different issues that affected the population. A good example is the movement for equality and individual rights. These movements were based on the most cherished principles of the American society. They depict heavily from religious beliefs, human dignity and solidarity, and formative political literature such as the Declaration of Independence. Examples of humanitarians include Thomas Pane and William Lloyd Garrison who fought against slavery8. Other movements were for economic justice. In the beginning of the 20th century, nations begun to experience an increase in prosperity with the coming of industrial capitalism, positive shift in agricultural production and a rising class of salary earners9. However, there was a significant portion of the population that was left out in this growth. They thus experienced hardship. As a result, there was the initiative to create a more humane economic order, which obviously encouraged certain movements. They advocated for decent living of all people. The goal of these movements was to create decent conditions for workers and everyone else. Conclusion Conclusively, from the literature, we realize that progressivism depended on various factors. It took philosophical perspective to fight the status quo. It took coalitions and visions to overcome the challenge for the benefit of the majority. We can have a lot to learn from our predecessors. The challenges we face in modern times are different from those in the 20th century but are perhaps crueller. Perhaps progressive movements are what we need now more than ever. Bibliography As for my sources, I chose to focus on ones that give detailed and reliable information on the progressive era, both the economic and social status of the societies. These included both primary and secondary sources. Below is the classification of my sources. Primary sources Patten, Simon. 1885. Premises of Political Economy. Philadelphia: Lippincott Co. This is a reliable piece of work since it was written at the time of progressivism. The author focuses on the economic status. He also describes how the social and economic movements executed their mission towards a future of equality in the society. Rauschenbusch, Walter. 1907. The Influence of Historical Studies on Theology. American Journal of Theology 11:111–27. This article was helpful since the author based his writing on the philosophical ideas that were the basis of social and economic movements. Secondary sources Hopkins, Charles, 1982. Preparation for the Advent. The Establishment of Sociology a Discipline in American Universities in the Late Nineteenth Century. Minerva 20:25–58. The book was helpful although it was long after the progressive period. It gives the both events leading to progressivism and during the era. Ramstad, Yngve. 1994. Nature of Economic Evolution: John R. Commons and the Metaphor of Artificial Selection. In Evolutionary and Neo-Schumpeterian Approaches to Economics, edited by Lars Magnusson, 65–121. Boston: Kluwer. In this book, there is detailed and cited information particularly about the economic status between the late 19th century and early 20th century. It was helpful since it gives incite to the situation at the time. Porter, Theodore. 1986. The Rise of Statistical Thinking, 1820–1900. Princeton: Princeton University Press Still written long after the era, there is detailed information on the topic in this book. The book talks about various inventions at the time. It gives data on the socio-economic status of the progressive era. David Chappell, 2004. Stone of Hope, Prophetic Religion and the Death of Jim Crow University of North Carolina Press. This literature rather focuses on the religious status at the time. It gives various religious activists, and describes what they stood for and preached. Read More