ABSTRACT
Introduction to Chapter 8: The first decade of the 21st century began on a troubling note and continued to encounter difficulties thereafter. In brief, the continued influence of conservative Christianity and governance from the right side of the political spectrum was assured with the election in 2000 of George W. Bush. But that was followed by the devastating attacks of 9/11, which resulted in the deaths of about 3,000 people; a massive counterterrorism effort; two wars that lasted for the entire decade; and two major economic recessions – to note just the highlights, as they say. The Presidential Election of 2008, which resulted in the election of the first President of color, was seen by many as a vote for change and a renewed sense of optimism. But neither appear to have materialized or lasted. The immediate results of the events of 9/11 were a brief, renewed sense of national unity, which had both positive and troubling aspects, and even that was followed by disunity and conflict. Religion showed minor signs of losing ground as a defining trait of American life. National surveys indicated that “the nation is becoming an even richer mix of sects and traditions.” At the same time, the trend toward seeing faith as a private matter and not associated with any particular denomination appeared to be gaining momentum at the expense of organized religion. We will begin with a look at the changes that have occurred in the religious landscape of the United States as we enter a new century.
