Religion at the Inauguration

A major theme of our textbook is the enduring influence of religion in American public life.  It was evident at the inauguration, where Myrlie Evers-Williams ended her invocation by saying:  "In Jesus’ name and the name of all who are holy and right we pray. Amen."  (Rev. Franklin Graham mentioned Jesus at the 2001 inaugural invocation, and drew criticism for it.)

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," a deeply religious and specifically Christian song.  See below, esp at 2:39:

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.