Religion in America

by Julia Corbett Hemeyer

Concise, yet thorough, this book introduces the vast variety of religious groups and activities—both ecclesial and popular—that make up the American religious picture in the late 1990s. It presents the academic study of religion within the context of the humanities, discussing religion in a spirit of mutual exploration and learning, rather than in terms of what is "right" and "wrong." Coverage emphasizes the current state of today's religions, paying particular attention to the religious diversity found in the United States. Topics include religion in American public life; the Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; clergical misconduct; responding to religious diversity; studying and describing religion; consensus protestants; catholics in the United States; living a jewish life in the United States; humanism and the unitarian universalists; christianities that began in the United States; alternative themes in american christianity; ethnic christianity; muslims in the United States; hindus and buddhists in the United States; other religious and spiritual movements; and religion as an individual and cultural problem. For those interested in American and Western religions.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

344 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1989

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book for a Religion in America survey. It suffers from a lack of a chapter on civil religion. I mean COME ON. Also, Native American traditions deserve their own chapter, and the NRM section is inadequate. Likewise, the chapter on controversies & violence is inadequate.

I highly dislike many of the discussion questions, which often ask about opinions, which are potentially offensive & inappropriate for public classroom. I'm not about to ask my students to discuss whether they believe same-sex marriage or abortion SHOULD be legal or SHOULD be permitted in their religious traditions.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a college course, my final semester prior to graduation. It was perfect timing. In this book the author goes through various religions and lists the cornerstones of the belief system and then also describes important rituals, holiday celebrations, etc.