Discussion Forum Questions: We don’t always think of religion as a catalyst for

Discussion Forum Questions: We don’t always think of religion as a catalyst for social change and reform. The stereotype of religion often suggests the opposite. In reality, some of the most important and transformative movements for reform and social change in American history were religiously inspired even though they often had both religious and political goals. It’s also the case that religion has served as an impediment to social change. The abolitionist movement is an example that was both energized and led by Christians – Frederick Douglass, for example – and vigorously opposed by most white American Christians and virtually all of the mainline denominations–except for the Quakers. For this discussion forum, interpret the following questions by citing and explaining evidence from assigned sources:
1. How and why did religion, particularly Protestant Christianity, inspire social reform movements in the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century?
2. What’s another example from history – American or otherwise – where religious people led a movement for social change? Why was religion important to the growth and advancement of that movement? If you want argue to the contrary, feel free to do so: what’s an example in history where religion was used to thwart social change and why? On the whole, has religion been a force for positive change or the status quo in American history?
Instructions: There are two parts to participating in a discussion forum. The first part is your main post. This should be one to two paragraphs but no longer. It should directly answer the forum’s questions and use evidence and examples from assigned materials to support your points. You should also cite your sources using simple in-text citations. For example, (“Religion and Reform,” The American Yawp) when you’re citing the reading and (The Reform Impulse) when you’re citing the film. You can answer the questions in any way you see fit, but you must use assigned sources and cite them
Readings
* “Religion and Reform,” https://www.americanyawp.com/text/10-religion-and-reform/
Chapter 10, The American Yawp
Film
* The Reform Impulse https://fscj-flvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01FALSC_FSCJ/b590d6/alma991003318677006575
This film addresses how the industrialization and urbanization of America, along with the spread of slavery and evangelical Christianity, touched off religious