Tuesday, July 12, 2011

One Nation Under God

So, this post deals more with nationalism explicitly, not only in the context of one artist. Religion and nationalism seem to have buddied up in the United States. Not only do Christians there seem to make use of nationalism but also nationalists seem to make use of Christianity. This myth is created that if you are a "true" US citizen, then you are also a Christian. At the same time though, Christianity is interpreted in such a way that it seems to only emphasize the values associated with the American Way of Life. Think for example of capitalism and democracy that might be supported with Biblical passages. Sometimes the support sought isn't even textual but just visual, juxtaposing the cross or the Bible next to the hawk and the star-spangled banner for example, associating the two symbolic systems with one another. The fruits of this fusion are nothing short of sweet.





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