American Religious Faith and Optimism

Professor Schama argues that one of the key elements that sustains American optimism is American religious faith.

He says that it is the belief in religious freedom - and in the right of people to choose their own faith, not have it imposed on them from birth - that underlies the American belief in self-improvement and change.

Quote from Dr. Simon Schama who is a British professor of history and art history at Columbia University. Quote taken from BBC Article - Challenges for changing America.