美国历史文化概况(英文版)UNIT 15 Religions and Faith

关于美国文化的英语作文American culture is a complex tapestry woven from the threads of countless traditions, histories, and influences. It is a culture that has been shaped by the melting pot of immigrants who have sought a new life on its shores, as well as the indigenous cultures that have existed for millennia. In this essay, we will delve into the various aspects of American culture, from its democratic values to its artistic expressions, and from its technological advancements to its social dynamics.Democratic Ideals and the American DreamAt the heart of American culture lies the concept of democracy and the belief in the American Dream. The United States was founded on principles of freedom, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. These ideals have been enshrined in documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The American Dream, the idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work, remains a powerfulcultural force, inspiring innovation and ambition.The Melting Pot of Ethnicities and TraditionsThe United States is often referred to as a "melting pot" because of its diverse population. People from all over the world have immigrated to the U.S., bringing with them their languages, religions, and customs. This diversity iscelebrated in various cultural events and festivals that take place throughout the year, such as St. Patrick's Day, Cincode Mayo, and Chinese New Year.The Arts and Entertainment IndustryAmerican culture has a significant impact on the global arts and entertainment scene. Hollywood is synonymous with thefilm industry, and the Oscars are one of the most prestigious awards in cinema. Similarly, American music genres such as jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, and hip-hop have influenced music worldwide. Broadway musicals and the country music scene are also integral parts of the American cultural landscape.Technological Innovation and EntrepreneurshipThe United States is a hub for technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Silicon Valley, located in California, is home to many of the world's largest technology companies and startups. This spirit of innovation is a key part of American culture, with a strong emphasis on the development of new technologies and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.Sporting TraditionsSports play a central role in American culture, with football, basketball, and baseball being among the most popular.College sports are a significant part of campus life and community identity. The Super Bowl, the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), is an annual culturalevent that draws millions of viewers and is considered morethan just a game.Social Issues and Cultural ShiftsAmerican culture is not without its challenges. The country has a history of social issues, including racial inequality and gender discrimination. However, these issues have also been a catalyst for cultural change and progress. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the ongoing discussions about gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights are examples of how American culture evolves in response to social issues.ConclusionIn conclusion, American culture is a dynamic and multifaceted entity that continues to evolve and influence the world. It is characterized by its democratic principles, cultural diversity, artistic expressions, technological advancements, and sporting traditions. As the United States continues to grow and change, so too will its culture, reflecting the aspirations and values of its people.。

American Religious Culture美国是一个宗教色彩浓厚的发达国家,其宗教多元化与移民问题有密切关系,宗教信仰已成为美国文化和历史不可分割的组成部分,这种多元宗教文化的传统对美国的社会生活产生了深刻影响。

USA is a developed country with rich religious colors and its multi-religious features are closely connected with its immigrants. Religious beliefs are an inseparable part of American culture and history. This deep-rooted multi-religious culture has exerted great influenceon American lives.一、美国的宗教文化背America's religious and cultural background美国向以“民族熔炉”和“宗教联合国”著称。

America is famous as an "Ethnic melting pot" and "religious United Nations".美国人大部分是17和18世纪欧洲移民的后裔,另外,还从拉丁美洲、亚洲、澳洲、非洲甚至加拿大涌入了大量移民。

移民们持续稳定地涌入美国,带来了他们本国的文化和传统,从而使美国社会变得丰富多彩,也对美国多元文化的形成产生了深远的影响。

Americans are mostly descendants of European immigrants of17 and 18th Century. In addition to there are also a large number ofimmigrants from Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and Canada. Thesteady influx of immigrants brought their own culture and traditions toAmerica. They make the American society rich and colorful and even impactfar-reaching influence on the formation of America’s multicultural.多元文化的沃土滋养出了多元宗教文化。

RELIGION in the UNITED STATESReligious Liberty∙“Among the rights which the new nation guaranteed, as apolitical necessity in a religiously diverse society, wasfreedom of religion” (p. 86)∙The Constitution forbade the government to give specialfavours to any religion, nor were they allowed to stop orinterfere with religion. The USA was determined it wouldhave no state-supported religion.∙When there is a disagreement between the government andany religion, the American courts must settle it. Protestants in the United States∙60% of Americans are Protestant believers. The Baptists are the largest Protestant group.* The largest concentration ofBaptists live in the Southern States of America and, although some Southern Baptists have liberal attitudes to blackAmericans, many believe and practice racial discrimination and prejudice towards them.∙Most black Americans are Baptists too, but they go todifferent churches than the white Americans. Church is amajor social and community centre for the black churchgoers. ∙There are over a 100 Protestant sects in America. Theyexpress variety on a theme, rather than major differences inbelief. In recent decades there has been an increase in thenumber of fundamentalist churches, which often use themedium of television to communicate with citizens. Thesefundamentalists are sometimes extreme in their views. Catholics∙The largest single religious group is the Roman Catholics.More than 25% of Americans identify themselves as Catholics.The increase in the number of Catholics is mainly due to laterimmigration waves of Irish, Polish and Italians. For instance, over a million Irish Catholics left Ireland, due to a famine there that saw many suffer starvation.∙There was significant prejudice against the Catholics by the Protestants. *∙In the 1950s, many Catholics began to question the idea of the separation of Church and State. The Catholic Church had developed many social institutions, including schools, to preserve their faith. The Church wanted the government to help fund the cost of these schools. The Supreme Court was asked to rule whether this would be unconstitutional. TheCourt ruled that it was unconstitutional, and that thegovernment could not help religious schools.Three Faiths∙By the 1950s, a kind of “three faiths” model of USA haddeveloped. All Americans were considered to come in one of three basic varieties: Protestant, Catholic and Jewish.∙The Jews were a small minority in the first years of theAmerican republic. Later, many Jews came to the USA and became successful. There are now many Jews in the various professions and in the academic world.Anti-Semitism appeared as the numbers of Jews grew. In response to prejudice and discrimination, Jews formed organisations to fight this. These organisations attempted to educate Americans about the injustice of prejudice.“People are complicated. They are the combinations of good and evil, beauty and ugliness, truth and falsehood, wisdom and stupidity.”He Manzi (1919- ), Chinese writer.Religious DiversityThe USA has seen the growth of many new religiousmovements. There were many experiments, both religious and otherwise, in alternative living. Sometimes communitiesdeveloped with people who wanted to …opt out‟ of mainstream society because they considered mainstream society, corrupt or lacking in moral virtue. One the most well-known is theAmish communities of Pennsylvania.∙Sometimes the beliefs and practices of these sects conflict with American law. Two instances are: the Jehovah‟s Witnesses who want to refuse to allow blood transfusions when they have medical treatment, and the Mormons who believe that a man can have more than one wife.∙The Supreme Court has been asked to make decisions about whether these practices can be allowed or not. In both cases the Supreme Court said no they are not allowable. Another decision that is very well-known was the 1973 decision whichmade abortion legal, even though many Catholics and Jewscampaigned strongly against it being legalised. There still exists a strong emotional reaction to the issue of abortion.*Other world religions have been increasing their numbers in America for example Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism due to immigration trends.American Character of ReligionThere are 3 unique aspects to American religion:∙All Americans of different religions live together under thesame law. There is no stat e interference with people‟sreligious beliefs. There is no state religion. The variousreligious groups have coexisted more harmoniously inAmerica than in the Old World.∙Religious beliefs of Americans have a strong social element to them. Half of all Protestants are active church-members, and even more Catholics attend church regularly. Many attendchurch not only for religious reasons but also to make friendsand to become a part of the community. In contrast, 80% ofEngland‟s Protestants go to church le ss than once a month and in Sweden most citizens do not go to church at all.∙Every church is a completely independent organisation. Apart from having responsibility for finance and the buildings, thepreacher preaches what he/she thinks is important rather than instilling doctrine (church teachings) into the churchgoers. Why do so many Americans attend church?∙In American history, religion has not been associated withoppression or domination by other powerful institutions.∙Generally speaking, Americans have experienced greaterreligious freedom than Europeans.∙Churchgoing in America is seen as an opportunity tobecome a part of the community and to develop friendships.Key Points∙The American government guarantees religious freedom.∙The American Protestants have a very diverse range ofchurches and sects even though they have the same basicbeliefs.∙The Catholic Church is the single largest church in the USA.When immigrants from predominately Catholic countries, like Poland, Italy and Ireland, brought their religion with them.∙There was prejudice and discrimination against the Catholics and the Jews.∙Many Americans go to church for social as well as religiousreasons.∙Attendance at church in the USA is relatively high compared with many European countries.RESULTS OF SURVEY (1995-1997)It polls a statistically valid sample of adults from a total of 60 nations. Some of their findings from their 1995-1997 survey: The United States has a higher level of church attendance than any other country which is "at a comparable level of development."53% of Americans consider religion to be very important in their lives. This compares with 16% in Britain, 14% in France and 13% in Germany.The importance of religion has been declining in developed countries.In those countries which are "experiencing economic stagnation and political uncertainty," the importance of religion is high.。

Religion in Us1. The importance of religion in American’s life⏹Various American presidents have often stated the importance of religion.On 20 February 1955,President Dwight D. Eisenhower stated that"Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expressionof Americanism."President Gerald Ford agreed with and repeated thisstatement in 1974.⏹Gallup International indicates that 41% of American citizens report theyregularly attend religious services, compared to 15% of French citizens, 10%of UK citizens,and 7.5% of Australian citizens.2. Religious Liberty in US⏹"Congress shall make no law establishing religion, or prohibit the freeexercise thereof."-The First Amendment to the Constitution of the UnitedStates.⏹The First Amendment guarantees both the free practice of religion andthe non-sponsorship of religion by the government.⏹The First Amendment separated church from state but not religionfrom public life.The movement toward religious liberty in the United States.⏹The momentous decision by the framers of the Constitution and the Billof Rights to prohibit religious establishment on the federal level and toguarantee free exercise of religion was related to a number of religious, political and economic factors in 18th-century America.3. Main religious preferences of Americans⏹Christianity: (59.9% to 76.0%)⏹Unaffiliated, including atheist or agnostic (15.0% to 37.3%)⏹Judaism (1.2% to 2.2%)⏹Islam (0.6% to 2.6%)⏹Buddhism (0.5% to 0.9%)⏹Hinduism (0.4%)⏹Other (1.4%)The largest religion in the US is Christianity, practiced by the majority of the population (76% in 2008)；⏹Protestants （51.3%）；⏹Catholics（25%）；⏹Mormons （1.7%）（摩门教徒） (the name commonly used to refer tomembers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)；⏹Other Christian denominations （1.7%）。

美国文化英语作文In the heart of the United States lies a tapestry of cultures, a testament to its history of immigration and the amalgamation of various traditions. The American culture is a melting pot, where the old world meets the new, creating a unique blend of customs and values.The United States is often referred to as a "nation of immigrants," and this is evident in the diversity of its people. People from all corners of the globe have broughttheir languages, foods, music, and traditions, enriching the American cultural landscape. This diversity is celebrated through various cultural festivals and events that take place throughout the year.One of the most significant aspects of American culture isits emphasis on individualism. Americans value personal freedom and the right to pursue one's own goals and aspirations. This spirit of individualism is reflected in the American Dream, the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination.Another key element of American culture is its democratic ideals. The United States was founded on principles of democracy, equality, and justice, which are deeply ingrainedin the national identity. The right to vote, freedom of speech, and the rule of law are cherished rights that are protected by the Constitution.The arts in America are as diverse as the people themselves. From the vibrant jazz music born in New Orleans to the Broadway shows in New York City, the creative expression in America is a reflection of its cultural diversity. Hollywood, the center of the film industry, has also played asignificant role in shaping American culture and exporting it to the world.Sports are an integral part of American life and culture. Baseball, football, basketball, and ice hockey are not just games but are deeply woven into the fabric of American society. They bring communities together and are a source of national pride.In conclusion, American culture is a rich and complextapestry woven from the threads of its diverse population. It is a culture that values freedom, democracy, and the pursuitof individual dreams. As the world continues to change, sotoo does American culture, evolving and adapting to the times while still holding onto its core values.在美国的心脏地带，存在着一种文化的织锦，这是其移民历史和各种传统的融合的证明。

美国历史与文化英语作文初中Title: A Brief Introduction to American History and Culture for Middle School StudentsAs a middle school student, understanding the rich history and vibrant culture of the United States is both fascinating and educational. Let's take a journey through some key aspects of American history and culture.American history began with the arrival of the first settlers, the Pilgrims, in 1620. They came seeking religious freedom and established the Plymouth Colony. Later, more settlers arrived, bringing diverse cultures and ideas. In 1776, the 13 colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, leading to the formation of the United States of America.Culture in the United States is a melting pot of different traditions and values. From the West Coast to the East Coast, you can find diverse communities celebrating their unique customs and festivals. For example, the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a national holiday that celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On this day, people across the country gather to watch fireworks, have barbecues, and sing patriotic songs.Another significant aspect of American culture is its emphasis on individualism and entrepreneurship. Many successful businesses and inventions have emerged from the United States, such as Apple, Google, and the light bulb. Americans value hard work, innovation, and risk-taking, which have contributed to the country's economic growth and prosperity.Education also plays a vital role in American culture. The United States has a robust system of public and private schools, as well as universities and colleges that attract students from around the world. These institutions provide students with opportunities to learn, grow, and shape their future.In conclusion, American history and culture are vast and diverse. From its founding as a nation of immigrants to its vibrant communities and innovative spirit, the United States offers a unique experience for all. As a middle school student, exploring these aspects of American history and culture can help you gain a deeper understanding of the country and its people.。