Abrahamic Religions

The United States, by law, was designed to be religiously inclusive, including humanist and secularist ideas. When the nation was founded in 1776, the nation was 98 percent Protestant. For much of American history, Christianity has had a formidable influence on American culture. Though a culturally Christian nation, it struggled to be inclusive of all denominations and religions. Today, America still struggles with religious inclusivity as the country continues to become more religiously diverse. An overview of the Abrahamic religions in a multicultural America begins with a brief history of religion in America, a look at America's religious landscape, an overview of each of the Abrahamic religions, how Americans are navigating religious diversity, and future trajectories for the Abrahamic religions in America.

While previously an almost purely Anglo-Protestant nation, Americans responded by reimagining a once de facto Christian nation as one that could embrace Judaism and Catholicism as well as Protestantism. Each of these religions affirmed one God who spoke through prophets and holy books. All three religious groups were deemed compatible with such American virtues as liberty, equality, and democracy.

After 9/11, the reality of our global society was clear and an expanded view of faith became increasingly the norm. For many years, elected officials had lauded the valuable faith-based work being done by America's churches, synagogues, and mosques. The existence of a Judeo-Christian-Islamic, or Abrahamic, America had been recognized, but Islam existed as a tiny, marginalized outsider.

While Islam was increasingly recognized in American politics and culture, Americans did not necessarily embrace Muslims. Many responded with fear and hatred. This is unlike a similar response in the previous century to changes in the religious makeup of American society. Just as Christians struggled to accept Jews until World War II, now Christians and Jews are struggling to accept Muslims.