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Telling the Story of What Religion Has Done to America and What America Has Done to Religion.
Join us in the cause of the National Museum of American Religion
Scholars explain the necessity of establishing the National Museum of American Religion so that we can all understand better what religion has done to America and what America has done to religion, and thus preserve the ideal of religious freedom as a governing principle in the United States, and allow America to fulfill her purposes in the world.
How Religion Has Shaped America
Since the founding of our country, the pursuit of religious freedom has profoundly affected the American story and given birth to a nation of vibrant religious communities. Through a contemporary lens NMAR examines both the American religious landscape over time and the underlying state of religious freedom, along with its historical expansions and contractions.
What does religious freedom mean today, especially in our religiously diverse and hyper-connected world?
NMAR is a space for visitors to find common ground for discussions about the role of religion in America and in the lives of our people and institutions. The ideal of religious freedom remains relevant today, and the contemporary challenges we face are influenced by our historic understanding of this vision.
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The Future Journey
Discover
Discover the role of religion and the underlying ideal of religious freedom in the history of the United States and how both continue to influence the ongoing American story
Appreciate
Appreciate the history of religious freedom and the responsibility we share, regardless of one’s personal faith or feelings toward religion generally, to cherish, protect and buttress it
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Examine
Examine religion and religious freedom in America through an honest engagement with their history, purpose, and use
Understand
Understand the complexities arising from religious freedom and the resulting capacity for significant religious diversity
Explore
Explore a vibrant, inviting, immersive and interactive museum in which to experience the role of religion in America and the freedom that fuels it
Engage
Engage with other visitors in varied and meaningful ways, to better understand the role religion plays in people’s lives and the life of the nation
Challenge
Challenge one’s understanding of the history and impact of religion and religious freedom on America, and America on religion and religious freedom
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FAQ
Will the Museum include Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism as well as Christianity and Judasim?
Yes, in so far as they appear in the American narrative.
Will the Museum be of interest to the “spiritual but not religious”, “nones” and others who keep themselves distant from organized religion?
Yes.
Is the Museum affiliated with political parties or movements?
No.
Will the Museum be of interest to atheists?
Yes.
Does the Museum take stances on current national questions, including court cases, involving religion and religious freedom?
No, but the museum may become an important place for such issues to be placed in historical context in symposia.
Will Christianity be displayed prominently, and represented as the favored religion in the United States?
The various Christian denominations will be featured in so far as they have influenced the American story. Christianity will not be represented as the favored religion in the United States.
Is the Museum financially supported by institutional religions in any major way?
No. All are welcome to contribute but their support does not alter curation.
Does the Museum have affiliations with religions?
Yes, mostly with their historical offices, archives and organizations.
Does the Museum have an opinion on whether religion has been good or bad for the country?
No. We state that “religion has been one of the greatest forces throughout American history, for good and ill.”
Will the Museum charge an entrance fee?
Yes, but modest.
Is the Museum the same as the Museum of the Bible?
No.
Is the Museum affiliated with the Christian Nation movement
No.
Does the Museum take a stance on whether America would be better off if more of its citizens were “religious”?
No.
