American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us

By Robert D. Putnam, David E. Campbell

Reviewed by Tim Ballard
On 1/28/2011

Simon and Schuster, 2010 Hardcover:
673 pages
ISBN-10: 1-4165-6671-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-6671-7 Price: $30.00

Reviewed by Tim Ballard for the Association for Mormon Letters

Mormons have long had a fascination with America. Their flagship book of scripture claims an ancient people of the Americas covenanted with God and that this ancient American nation was blessed contingent upon its righteousness. The Book of Mormon suggests that this national covenant extends to modern America--that it “is a choice land” to “be free from bondage,” as long as we “serve the God of the land” (Ether 2:12). Mormons further connect to America by way of prophecies concerning the United States Constitution, the most popular of which quotes the Lord as stating that He inspired its creation to bring about “moral agency” for “all flesh” (See D&C 101:78-80). Indeed, the connection Mormons feel with America is profound. And based on the covenant relationship they believe in, their interest in America’s general religious status is profound as well. For they believe that the miraculous protections and liberties offered by the Lord will only continue as Americans continue to live righteously. And so, the recent work, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, naturally becomes a worthy and worthwhile read for the LDS student, for it informs on the spiritual well-being of the nation.

While Mormons will naturally be attracted to this work, it should be very clear that in no way could it be exclusively classified as Mormon literature (though one of the authors--Campbell--is a self-described Latter-day Saint). Instead, the book represents a comprehensive review and analysis of religions--all religions--in America. The work is, in fact, so comprehensive that it answers every question one might have (to include questions one did not even know one had) about religion in America. For example, the reader will learn how various religions have transformed and adapted, how specific political and cultural events have shaped these religions, how and why Americans change their religious affiliations (and what effects such changes produce), how religion shapes one’s willingness to serve the community, how religion informs one’s politics, how politics inform one’s religion, how religions view themselves in society, how religions view others (including other religionists and non-religionists in society), and the list goes on and on.

Admittedly, so much information packed into over 600 pages may seem daunting and intimidating. However, the authors do a superb job of making their findings highly accessible, even to the lay reader. Laced throughout the study, the authors include what they refer to as “vignettes.” These vignettes provide “views from the pews.” They tell the story of a day in the life of an Anglican, a Jew, a Mormon, an Evangelical and so on. Refreshingly, the authors do not annotate these experiences with additional stats and findings. Instead, they allow the reader to sit back, relax and soak it all in. The authors allow the reader to apply the lessons (from the data presented in other chapters) as he or she sees fit.

Apart from these real world experiences, the book is highly credible for other reasons as well. Unlike so many other works that use a singular study or survey, then seem to manipulate data in order to push an agenda, this book comes off more genuine. For one thing, the data is not based on a single survey, but instead includes the results of various studies, to include the Faith Matters survey, the General Social Survey, the National Election Studies, the Public Life Survey and the Pew Religion Survey. Furthermore, the authors take great care to explain their findings within an honest context. For example, after explaining “warm” and “cold” indicators (to show how differing religions feel about each other), they expound and clarify. They show, in this case, how even though religions (like Islam) generally receive a “cold” response, it is nowhere near as “cold” a response as political factions (i.e. conservatives and liberals) receive from each other (p. 515). This kind of honesty adds valuable perspective.

The LDS reader will especially enjoy seeing how their religion measures up in America. Though making up a mere fraction of the American populace, Mormons certainly prove to be the “peculiar” people they claim to be. They certainly make their mark in the data. For example, Mormons lead all other religions in being “the most religiously observant” (p.24). They also lead in encouraging their youth to marry within the church (p.155). Mormon women rank last (by far) in desiring clergy status (the priesthood) compared to woman of other faiths (p. 243-244) -- though over half of Mormon men (surprisingly) are not unfavorable to women clergy in the church (p. 244). Other Christian churches generally do not view Mormons warmly (they place Mormons in the “cold” category, alongside Muslims and Buddhists), though Mormons view all other religions with general warmness (more so than other religions). It is interesting to note, however, that the one religious group that views Mormons favorably is the Jews--a happy thought, considering Mormons' deep-felt connection to the ancient covenant-holders (p. 508). Mormons also rank last in the amount of political activity that occurs in church, yet they rank first in claiming that their religious teachings directly inform their individual politics (p. 440). These are but a sample of the data provided. As Latter-day Saints consider their status in their communities, in their wards, in their politics, and in their missionary efforts, certainly these statistics become relevant. Similarly, information from these data can be utilized by all other religious groups in America as they consider the conclusions about their own religions and how these conclusions might affect their own lives.

But of all the conclusions made by the authors, their most prominent conclusion about religion in America is perhaps the most relevant to the LDS reader. For the ultimate conclusion (laid out strategically in the final chapter) touches the core of the Mormon emphasis on the nation’s relationship with God. And the prognosis of this relationship is hopeful. For it appears--in spite of the doom and gloom so many see in American spirituality--America is still religiously viable. With eighty three percent of Americans belonging to a religion and well over half praying regularly (p. 7), perhaps we should have more hope. Taking on the prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens, who claims, “Religion poisons everything,” the authors show how quite the opposite is true in America. The data show how religion in America clearly makes us kinder, more charitable neighbors (pp. 444-445). The authors quote George Washington, who stated that “of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports” (p.443). And the authors show how Americans, even today, generally follow this counsel. The Constitution of the United States, formed so graciously by Washington and his inspired colleagues, supports and propels Americans in living religiously. As the authors explain, because the Constitution provides for religious pluralism, many religions have been imported, formed and tolerated. With so many religions, Americans eventually make friends and acquaintances with people of varied religious backgrounds. This, according to the authors, creates “a web of interlocking personal relationships among people of many different faiths”(p.550). It encourages further religious liberty, and thus encourages further growth and spirituality. It encourages righteous living incumbent upon a covenant people. (It is no wonder Mormons believe God inspired the Constitution).

What Mormons might call a national covenant born of this constitutional encouragement, the authors call “Civil Religion” (p.517). They explain how it cuts through religious denominational lines and through party lines (indeed, they show how Democratic, as well as Republican presidents have relied heavily upon God), and how it positively affects the majority of Americans and strengthens the country (pp. 517-519). And thus lives on what the authors define as “American Grace” (p.550).


Copyright 2011