ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the nature and the practice mutual shaping throughout American history, but that interpenetration extends well before and beyond America. It examines the way in which the American historical religious and spiritual narrative can be illuminated by considering it in public relations terms. The ancient and continuing association of religion and public relations has received scant attention in the scholarly literature. The scholarly and practitioner ambition to position public relations almost exclusively in managerial, technological, scientific, modern, and ethical frameworks can be traced to the pioneers, perhaps especially to Edward Bernays. American cultural history and the history of public relations demonstrates the equal and opposite forces of continuity and conflict. The origins, inspirations, and models of public relations must be understood to include the ethical presence of Aristotle and religious influence of Saint Paul as well as the charlatanism of Phineas Taylor Barnum and the marketing calculations of corporate social responsibility.
