Hard Work and Self-Discipline

American Protestantism, however, has never encouraged the idea of gaining wealth without hard work and self-discipline. Many scholars believe that the emphasis of Protestantism on these two values made an important contribution to the industrial growth of the United States. The Protestant view of hard work and discipline differed from the older tradition of the Catholic Church whereby the most highly valued work was that performed by priests and others whose lives were given completely to the organized church. The work and self-discipline of those whose occupations were outside the church might have been considered admirable, but not "holy."

Protestant leaders brought about a different attitude toward work, first in Europe, and later in the New World. They viewed the work of all men—farmers, merchants and laborers—as holy. Protestants also believed that the capacity for self-discipline was a holy characteristic blessed by God. Self-discipline was often defined as the willingness to save and invest one's money rather than spend it on immediate pleasures. Protestant tradition, therefore probably played an important part in creating a good climate for the industrial growth of the United States, which depended on hard work and willingness to save and invest money.

The belief in hard work and self-discipline in pursuit of material gain other goals is often referred to as_”the_Protestant_ethic.”

It is Important to understand that the Protestant work ethic has had an effect far beyond influencing only the members of the Protestant Churches. Members of all the many religious groups found in the United States share much of what is called the Protestant ethic. Americans who have no attachment to a particular church, Protestant or Catholic, have still been influenced by the Protestant ethic in their daily lives.

Humanitarianism

The Protestant idea of self-improvement includes more than achieving material gain through hard_work and selfdiscipline. It includes the idea of improving oneself by helping others. Individuals, in other words, make themselves into better persons by contributing some of their time or money to charitable, educational, or religious causes which are designed to help others. This philosophy is sometimes called "humanitarianism."

Andrew Carnegie. a famous American businessman, expressed this idea when he said that wealthy men "have it in their power during their lives to busy themselves in organizing benefactionsfrom which the masses of their fellows will derivelasting advantage...." Carnegie himself gave away more than 300 million dollars to help support schools and universities and to build public libraries in thousands of communities in the United States. John D. Rockefeller, another famous businessman, in explaining why he gave a large sum from his private fortune to establish a university, said: "The good Lord gave me my money, so how could I withhold it from the University of Chicago?" The motive for humanitarian-ism is strong: many Americans believe that they must devote part of their time and wealth to religious or humanitarian causes in order to be acceptable in the eyes of God and in the eyes of other Americans.

Born-Again Christians

Perhaps the most dramatic example of the idea of self-improvement in American Protestantism is the experience of being "born again." Some individuals who have had this experience say that before it occurred they were hopelessly lost in their own wickedness. Then they opened their hearts to God and to His Son, Jesus Christ, and their lives were completely changed. The experience is sometimes very emotional. Afterwards, individuals say that their lives are so completely changed that they describe the experience as being "born again."

Millions of Americans describe themselves as born-again Christians, includ­ing two recent American presidents, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Born-again Christians are sometimes criticized for being too emotional and placing too little value on the importance of using one's reasoning powers. It is also said that once they are born again, many people insist on pressuring others to have the same experience, whether they wish to have it or not. Even though it has been criticized, the experience of being born again is an important expression of American Protestantism and its tendency to make people feel a need to change for the better.

A National Religion

In the countries from which the American colonists emigrated, the dominant values of the nation were often supported by an organized national church. American Protestants made certain that no organized national church would exist in their young country.

Americans, however, have developed a number of informal practices which combine national patriotismwith religion. A number of scholars have referred to these practices as the "national religion" of the United States. The main function of this national religion is to provide support for the dominant values of the nation. Thus, it does in an informal and less organized way what nationally organized churches did for European nations in earlier times.

The informal national religion in the United States mixes patriotism with religious ideas in songs and in ceremonies. The purpose of these songs and ceremonies is to proclaim God's blessing on America and its basic values.

The national religion can be observed on many occasions where Americans gather together in large and small groups—on national holidays, at political conventions, at large religious gatherings, and especially at sports events. Before a football game, for example, tens of thousands of Americans will stand to hear a religious leader's prayer, followed by the singing of the national anthem.

Patriotic songs such as "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful," and "My Country ‘Tis of Thee" are as well known to most Americans as is their national anthem. These songs are sung frequently on public occasions and may even be sung at Protestant worship services. Such songs express the idea that the United States and its basic values have received God's special blessing.

Some observers of American society believe that the various practices that are called the national religion can have harmful effects. Sometimes these practices can help to create a climate in which disagreement with current national practices is discouraged or not tolerated. In the 1950s, for example, persons who disagreed with current popular beliefs or with government policies were often accused of being "un-American," which meant unpatriotic or even disloyal. Many were investigated by the government, and Americans' freedom of speech was in danger. In the 1960s, young people who protested against the war in Vietnam were considered to be un-American by some. "America—love it or leave it" was an expression of this excessive patriotism.

To the extent that the national religion helps to create a climate which encourages excessive conformity with prevailing national practices, it can have a harmful effect. However, it usually serves a different function: to express the belief of most Americans that it is important to be a nation of people who believe in God and are loved and protected by God.

The earliest Protestant settlers believed that by coming to America they were carrying out God's plan. This belief gave them confidence that they would succeed. Modern Americans still need to believe that their nation will continue to succeed. The national religion helps to answer this need by reminding them of their religious heritage. It is a means of maintaining their national self-confidence in a rapidly changing world.

New Words

denominationa particular religious body with special beliefs that are different from the beliefs of other groups with the same religious faith

beveragesomething to drink

Popethe leader of the Roman Catholic Church

solelyonly; by oneself alone

persecuteto treat cruelly; to cause one to suffer for religious beliefs

dominantstrongest

eternaleverlasting; having no end

proclaimto make known, to declare officially

in league withworking together

acrea measure of land (about 4,047 square meters)

humanitarianismtrying to improve life for human beings by giving them better living conditions; helping others

benefactiondoing good or giving money for a good purpose

deriveto get from

patriotismlove for and loyalty to one's country

prevailingmost common or general

Vocabulary Check