American religion and the two party state | by Shane
Two links too important to neglect. First, the brilliant Michael Pollak explains the unique character of American religion, specifically how it differs from the European variety and the profound impact of individual choice. Second, a piece on where we find ourselves today, with broad, first draft suggestions of what is to be done. (Please note that he is responding in a forum where a militant secularism is FAR more pronounced than it is in American politics more broadly. Especially Texas. Also, he is writing from New York.)
For more background, he gives a brief potted-history of "fundamentalism," by way of Karen Armstrong, in an older post.