What are some ways in which Evangelical Christianity has an influence on different aspects of American life?

This question asks readers to place their consideration of the book within a societal, cultural, and historical context. The author's goal is to expand the sense of Christianity in readers; this question places the reader at a beginning point before the author offers her perspectives and commentary.

The author of the Forward comments that “comforting and terrifying is exactly what faith should be” (x). What does this mean? How is it possible for faith to be both comforting and terrifying?

Faith can be, for example, a comfort in times of suffering - that is, the belief that things can get better, that everything happens for a purpose, or that everything has spiritual value, or the potential for it. Faith can be terrifying, for example, when it asks for commitment, responsibility...