Faith and the Post-War Presidents

In times of crisis, each president has filled the important role as the nation’s “Consoler in Chief.” This course will examine the role of faith in the lives of twelve presidents from Truman to Obama. We will learn how each man exercised his personal faith and led a religiously diverse nation. We will examine accounts regarding Dwight Eisenhower’s attempts to conceal that he was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, and explore his decision following his election to be baptized as a Presbyterian in a private ceremony. This will be an opportunity to examine not only each president’s professed beliefs, but also the role that their upbringing, education and the faith of their spouse had upon the exercise of their own faith.
Course Code
504552