The Decline of the Biblical Worldview

As a result of the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, traditional Christianity was also experiencing many challenges. Prior to the 1960s, Christianity was perceived to be the dominant worldview of most Americans, even if many of those people were not overtly religious in practice. But pivotal issues of the 1960s changed that perception.

 

You will address some of the most important social, political, and economic events that changed the religious landscape in the 1960s and early 1970s. These events had a major impact on how faith and religious life were practiced, both privately and publicly.

 

Your task is to think critically about how each event may have changed that religious landscape. Look through the whole list and piece together any trends you notice in these events. How have these trends possibly shifted or eroded the dominant biblical worldview at that time? Have certain trends continued? If so, how? What are the consequences for people of faith today? These are some of the challenging and sobering questions you will explore in this assignment.

 

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

 

· Assess how select religious, political, and social changes have shaped modern Christianity.

 

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Resources

 

· Article: The 1960s: A Decade of Promise and Heartbreak

 

· Article: Gains in the 1960s Made Obama’s Election Possible

 

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Background Information

 

Before starting this assignment, first read the two articles, “The 1960s: A Decade of Promise and Heartbreak” and “Gains in the 1960s Made Obama’s Election Possible.” These will help jump-start some of your thinking about trends you might see in the list below.

 

What follows are 12 important events that occurred over as many years during a period of great social and political upheaval in America. These events were specifically chosen because of how they have affected the biblical worldview at this point in time.

 

This assignment requires you to think critically about how these events created trends that either enhanced a biblical or contributed to the decline of that worldview. You are encouraged to do additional research to learn more about these events and the way they were discussed and debated at the time.

 

Important Religious and Political Events of the 1960s and 1970s

 

1961 – Pat Robertson begins broadcasting on television. 1962 – The Supreme Court rules school prayer is unconstitutional. 1963 – The Supreme Court says that Bible reading and reciting the Lord’s prayer in school is unconstitutional, 1963 – The American Atheists Society is founded. 1964 – Muhammad Ali becomes a Muslim, bringing Islam faith into popular culture. 1964 – Civil Rights Act is passed, giving people of color equal rights. 1965 – The Immigration Act of 1965 opens the door for unprecedented immigration into the United States. 1966 –  Time magazine’s cover story is “Is God Dead?” 1968 – The ban on teaching evolution in schools is ruled unconstitutional. 1969 – A Catholic priest burns his draft card to protest the Vietnam war. 1972 – The Equal Rights Amendment passes in Congress, expanding women’s rights. 1973 – The  Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizes abortion.

 

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Instructions

 

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

 

2. Review the following articles:

 

a. “ The 1960s: A Decade of Promise and Heartbreak ”

 

b. “ Gains in the 1960s Made Obama’s Election Possible ”

 

3. To complete this assignment, review the Important Religious and Political Events of the 1960s and 1970s listed in the Background Information section and respond to the following:

 

a. When you look at these events, what trends or patterns do you see emerging in favor of or against Christianity?

 

b. If you were to choose one of these events as a pivotal example of how societal factors were shaping Christianity, which event would it be? Explain in detail.

 

c. Fast forward and name one recent religious or political event in the last five years that works against a strong Christian presence in society? Explain in detail.

 

4. Your response should be at least six paragraphs: two substantive paragraphs for each question. You are encouraged to do additional research to learn more about select events. Attempt to incorporate this outside research into your paper. Include the sources with in-text citations and in a reference page using correct  APA Style  format.