Religion and Church in the Great Depression

For many in the 1930s, religion fueled their emotions and supported their arguments. For others, religion offered the solace of continuity and a sense of contact with something transcending the problems of this world, and many rejected mixing politics and religion.

The economic collapse had a direct effect on religious groups. Regular attendance at religious services dropped, perhaps because the recently poor were embarrassed by their new status. Only a third of the population reported attending services once a week.

While the Seton's do seem to be somewhat religious, particularly Edward, they would have also found an excuse to attend church so that they may flaunt their wealth. They could easily afford to wear their "Sunday Best" and give money to the church, unlike most Americans. America was also prominently white Protestant (we can assume that the Seton's are as well) and most thought that they were the most authentic Americans and exercised their cultural dominance.