The Columbia Guide to Religion in American History

by Harvey, Paul; Blum, Edward J.

• ISBN13: 9780231140201
• ISBN10: 0231140207
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-01-06
• Publisher: Columbia Univ Pr

Summary

The first guide to American religious history from colonial times to the present, this anthology features twenty-two top scholars discussing major themes and topics in the development of the diverse religious traditions of the United States, such as the growth and spread of evangelical culture, the mutual influence of religion and politics, the rise of fundamentalism, the role of gender and popular culture, and the problems and possibilities of pluralism. Geared toward general readers, students, researchers, and scholars, this volume provides concise yet broad surveys of specific fields, with an extensive glossary and bibliographies detailing relevant books, films, articles, music, and media resources for navigating different streams of religious thought and culture. The guide opens with a thematic exploration of American religious history and culture and follows with twenty topical chapters, each of which illuminates the dominant questions and lines of inquiry that have determined scholarship within the chapter's chosen theme. Contributors also outline areas in need of further, more sophisticated study and identify critical resources for additional research. An A to Z glossary lists crucial people, movements, groups, concepts, and historical events, enhanced by extensive statistical data.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Introduction: Major Themes in American Religious History	p. 1
Colonial Encounters	p. 49
Native American Religions	p. 69
Civil Religion and National Identity	p. 89
Theology	p. 105
Evangelicals in American History	p. 122
Religion and Politics	p. 136
Religion and the Law in American History	p. 154
Religion, War, and Peace	p. 169
Religion, Gender, and Sexuality	p. 188
Religion, Race, and African American Life	p. 213
Religion, Ethnicity, and the Immigrant Experience	p. 236
Asian American Religions	p. 253
Alternative Religious Movements in American History	p. 265
Religion and the Environment	p. 280
Religion and Popular Culture	p. 295
Religious Conservatism and Fundamentalism	p. 309
Catholicism in America	p. 321
American Judaism	p. 338
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons")	p. 352
Islam in America	p. 365
American Religious History, A-Z	p. 381
Bibliography	p. 417
Filmography	p. 421
Discography	p. 427
Selected Online American Religious History Resources	p. 433
Contributors	p. 439
Index	p. 441
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