Will Herberg's Who Is Loyal To America

Will Herberg, writer of Protestant, Catholic, Jew, was a Jewish philosopher. He had a distinctive religious and social perspective expressed in all his writings. Herberg turned his attention to the sociology of American religion with this book. His critique of diversity is still impressive today, as are his ideas about the prominence of group identities. Herberg 's book demonstrated the sociological study of religion in the United States. He discussed how immigration and American ethnic culture were mirrored in religious movements and institutions. His work has been said to be one of the most powerful books written about American religion. Herberg’s book, Protestant, Catholic, Jew, combined a review of his research on American’s …show more content…
He was a passionate defender of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He helped to define modern liberalism in the United States with his many writings. His essay, Who Is Loyal to America, was written in a time period when America was going through a fight of anticommunism during the time of the cold war. In his essay Commager argues strongly the fact that this whole idea of “loyalty” is false. He feels that true patriotism and loyalty actually require what, to many, looks like disloyalty. It may require opposition to certain requirements of the Constitution itself and historians have not determined that those who subscribed to their moral or religious principles, that they believe overrule secular constitutions and laws, were lacking in patriotism. He states that the actual disloyal ones are those who do not believe in racial equality and the fact that all men are created equal. That disloyalty is in the hands of politicians who seek public office as for a private gain rather than a way to help others. Also when these politicians, in turn, let greed and corruption enter into politics. He believes this concept of “loyalty” is narrow and limiting. New patriotism should not forget that the American tradition is one that is founded on protest and rebellion. In Commager’s study, he noted that people who treated each other …show more content…
Commager spoke to the American principles of loyalty and patriotism, but, Herberg noted that many Americans seemed to identify more with their religious affiliations as opposed to one American identity. However, with Herberg 's religious background and his articulation, he was able to back up Commager and his way of thinking. Herberg was able to tell of the devastation first hand, which meant that he could honestly back up what Commager was trying to discuss. These religious leanings can help guide their political beliefs and more conservative views that could differ from what Commager is saying in his article. The main thing they both discussed was that equalitarianism, which brings loyalty, is very important with