Impact of Judaism and Christianity on American Society: Political, Cultural, and Academic Influences

 Explore 10 ways Judaism and 10 ways Christianity continue to influence American society today—across politics, science, education, and culture. A comparative reflection based on historical and modern insights from Module 5 materials.

The Middle Ages & the Judaic-Christian Tradition

After studying Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, do the following:

• Make a list of 10 ways that the Jewish religion impacts American Society Today.
• Make a list of 10 ways that the Christian religion impacts American society today.

These lists can include all sections of society: political, scientific, academic, cultural, and so on. 

Post your lists as your initial post.

READ:

Mark, Joshua J. "Religion in the Middle Ages." World History Encyclopedia, 28 June 2019, www.worldhistory.org/article/1411/religion-in-the-middle-ages/.

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1411/religion-in-the-middle-ages/

WATCH:

https://youtu.be/fLLY0A3cLIo?si=UodI6hqPkYKZvu05

Submission Instructions: 

• Your initial post should be two lists with 10 items in each list according to the prompts above.  Your initial post is worth 8 points.
• Read your peers’ posts. Did anyone come up with ways these religions impact society that did not occur to you? Did it make you think of something else? Respond to two of your peers and expand upon their ideas. Your peer responses are worth 2 points (1 point each).

Solution

10 Ways the Jewish Religion Impacts American Society Today

1. Legal Traditions and Ethics
   Many American laws and ethical frameworks—such as prohibitions against theft and perjury—are rooted in Jewish legal codes from the Hebrew Bible (Torah), influencing foundational U.S. concepts of justice.
   Reference: Novick, P. (1999). The Holocaust in American Life. Houghton Mifflin.

2. Civil Rights Advocacy
   Jewish communities have historically been leaders in civil rights movements, from co-founding the NAACP to prominent participation in 1960s activism.
   Reference: Greenberg, C. (2006). Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century. Princeton University Press.

3. Support for Religious Freedom
   Jewish organizations have been crucial in establishing and protecting religious freedom and minority rights in the U.S.
   Reference: Diner, H. R. (2004). The Jews of the United States, 1654 to 2000. University of California Press.

4. Influence on American Cuisine
   Jewish food traditions (e.g., bagels, deli sandwiches, kosher foods) have become integral to American culinary culture.
   Reference: Marks, G. (2010). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. Wiley.

5. Academic and Scientific Contributions
   Jewish Americans have disproportionately contributed to scientific research and academic life, including many Nobel laureates.
   Reference: Heilman, S. C. (2006). When a Jew is Not Jewish Enough. Contexts, 5(1), 58-60.

6. Philanthropy and Charity
   The Jewish concept of tzedakah (charitable giving) inspires major philanthropic organizations, supporting healthcare, education, and social services.
   Reference: Sarna, J. D. (2019). American Judaism: A History. Yale University Press.

7. Commemoration of the Holocaust
   Holocaust remembrance has influenced American education, public policy, and anti-hate legislation.
   Reference: Novick, P. (1999). The Holocaust in American Life. Houghton Mifflin.

8. Cultural Festivals and Holidays
   Jewish holidays (Hanukkah, Passover) are widely recognized, with some becoming part of national celebrations and school curricula.
   Reference: Diner, H. R. (2004). The Jews of the United States, 1654 to 2000. University of California Press.

9. Popular Culture and Entertainment
   Jewish writers, directors, and producers have shaped American music, film, television, and theater.
   Reference: Gabler, N. (1988). An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood. Crown.

10. Interfaith Dialogue and Pluralism
    Jewish organizations are often leaders in interfaith dialogue, promoting pluralism and tolerance in a multicultural society.
    Reference: Eisen, A. M., & Silver, A. I. (1995). The Parallel Quest: A History of the Catholic-Jewish Relations in the United States. Basic Books.

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10 Ways the Christian Religion Impacts American Society Today

1. National Holidays and Calendar
   Major U.S. holidays (Christmas, Easter) are Christian in origin, shaping national calendars and business operations.
   Reference: Prothero, S. (2007). Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—and Doesn't. HarperOne.

2. Political Discourse and Policy
   Christian values influence political debates and policies on issues like abortion, marriage, and social welfare.
   Reference: Domke, D., & Coe, K. (2008). The God Strategy. Oxford University Press.

3. Education System
   Many American universities (Harvard, Yale) were founded as Christian institutions, and Christianity still informs ethics courses and campus life.
   Reference: Marsden, G. M. (1994). The Soul of the American University. Oxford University Press.

4. Charitable Organizations
   Christian groups operate some of the largest charities (Salvation Army, Catholic Charities), providing crucial social services.
   Reference: Wuthnow, R. (1991). Acts of Compassion. Princeton University Press.

5. Literature, Art, and Music
   Christian themes and symbols are prevalent in American art, literature, and popular music.
   Reference: Goff, P., & Setran, D. P. (2011). The Christian College and the Meaning of Academic Freedom. Oxford University Press.

6. Social Movements
   Christianity motivated movements for abolition, temperance, and civil rights (e.g., Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.).
   Reference: Chappell, D. L. (2004). A Stone of Hope: Prophetic Religion and the Death of Jim Crow. University of North Carolina Press.

7. Healthcare and Hospitals
   Many hospitals and health systems in the U.S. were founded by Christian denominations.
   Reference: Numbers, R. L. (2009). God and Nature. University of California Press.

8. Marriage and Family Norms
   Christian teachings have shaped American ideas about marriage, sexuality, and family structure.
   Reference: Coontz, S. (2005). Marriage, a History. Penguin Books.

9. Symbols in Public Life
   Christian symbols (crosses, nativity scenes) are visible in public spaces, and national mottos like “In God We Trust” reflect Christian heritage.
   Reference: Green, S. K. (2010). The Bible, the School, and the Constitution. Oxford University Press.

10. Interfaith and Global Humanitarian Work
    Christian organizations often lead disaster relief and humanitarian efforts, both domestically and globally.
    Reference: Barnett, M. N., & Stein, J. G. (2012). Sacred Aid. Oxford University Press.

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References

1. Novick, P. (1999). The Holocaust in American Life. Houghton Mifflin. Link

2. Greenberg, C. (2006). Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century. Princeton University Press. Link

3. Diner, H. R. (2004). The Jews of the United States, 1654 to 2000. University of California Press. Link

4. Marks, G. (2010). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. Wiley. Link

5. Heilman, S. C. (2006). “When a Jew is Not Jewish Enough.” Contexts, 5(1), 58-60. Link

6. Sarna, J. D. (2019). American Judaism: A History. Yale University Press. Link

7. Gabler, N. (1988). An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood. Crown. Link

8. Eisen, A. M., & Silver, A. I. (1995). The Parallel Quest: A History of the Catholic-Jewish Relations in the United States. Basic Books. Link

9. Prothero, S. (2007). Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—and Doesn't. HarperOne. Link

10. Domke, D., & Coe, K. (2008). The God Strategy. Oxford University Press. Link

11. Marsden, G. M. (1994). The Soul of the American University. Oxford University Press. Link

12. Wuthnow, R. (1991). Acts of Compassion. Princeton University Press. Link

13. Goff, P., & Setran, D. P. (2011). The Christian College and the Meaning of Academic Freedom. Oxford University Press. Link

14. Chappell, D. L. (2004). A Stone of Hope: Prophetic Religion and the Death of Jim Crow. University of North Carolina Press. Link

15. Numbers, R. L. (2009). God and Nature. University of California Press. Link

16. Coontz, S. (2005). Marriage, a History. Penguin Books. Link

17. Green, S. K. (2010). The Bible, the School, and the Constitution. Oxford University Press. Link

18. Barnett, M. N., & Stein, J. G. (2012). Sacred Aid. Oxford University Press. Link

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