Religiosity in the US

In chapter 19 we looked at religion.  It seems to me that religion has become a much larger and more divisive topic since the attacks on 9/11.  It is true that religion has been a very large focus throughout the world from the earliest of records, but we are in the midst of large questions about the role of religion in society.  Different world religions are very much at odds with each other across the globe.  In the US, a sense of Islamophobia has crept into society, with irrational fears that all Muslims are terrorists.  The acts of Boko Haram and Islamic State certainly add fuel to the fire of this kind of panic, but the majority of Muslims I have met and leaders I have heard speak compare them more to the violent cults we have discussed in class than to a mainstream sect of Islam.  Both groups also touch on the idea of state churches from the chapter, as they wish to establish a caliphate, an Islamic state run by a religious leader.  The US is already at odds with a different state church in Iran, which is spilling over into trouble with Israel and Palestine.  This elevated state of war and terror in the Middle East has even called what is sacred into question, as many religious artifacts have been destroyed or looted.
I believe these conflicts do a lot to contribute to the higher rate of religiosity in the US than in other countries as noted in the chapter.  Most of these conflicts include US interests or groups that threaten attacks on the US.  Especially with the way the news and social media drum up many of these stories in an “Us vs. Them” type attitude, it causes many people to feel that their values are being threatened.  This kind of attack has a tendency to make people cling harder to their beliefs.  It can also inspire fear in people, which can make them seek a certain sense of comfort in God.  Many adopt the other side of the spectrum, hoping to better understand other faiths by solidifying their own beliefs.  If nothing else, having religion constantly brought up will make people start to think more about their stance on religion.  The more engaged people are in trying to understand their own faith, the more likely they are to try and seek out different places of worship and see how it works for them.  I have personally seen this among friends, as several of them began to gain more interest in religion.  After attending several different services, they were able to find the church that worked best for them.
So is 9/11 the reason behind all the religiosity in the US?  While I would say it is a major contributor, the US also has other unique properties.  As we discussed in class, we are a nation of immigrants and, as such, we import many religions through the people who come to this country.  Our founding in many ways was based on religious freedoms, so we have a particularly diverse Protestant background in the US.  Indeed, I have met a few Quakers, and given the individuality of worship in that particular religion I wouldn't know where to put them on the church/sect scale.  We also have more religions involved in media and political parties than other nations.  Ultimately it is everyone’s unique view on life and its origins that come to develop their faith, and that will tend to be formed by their situations at the time along with their upbringing and environment.

Destroyed Artifacts:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31779484

Prayer in safety:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/muslims-return-favor-join-hands-christian-protesters-mass-cairo-tahrir-square-article-1.137961