Kevin Kruse’s “One Nation Under God”

Guest: Kevin Kruse

Is America a “Christian nation”? Have we always identified as such? In his new book, One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America, KEVIN KRUSE argues that this hasn’t always been the case. In the 1930s and 40s, he says, American corporations, in response to declining bottom lines and damage to their reputations, supported the efforts of evangelicals and business leaders who promoted the links between capitalism and Christianity. Out of these efforts, “Christian Libertarianism” was born and the ties between religion, big business, and government grew stronger and stronger, as successive Republican presidents emphasized these bonds. In this hour of Radio Times, Princeton University professor Kevin Kruse speaks to Marty about how America became “one nation under God” and how “In God We Trust” ended up on our currency and as our national motto.

Photo/Joe deSouse