Communities of Dissent: A History of Alternative Religions in America

by Stephen J. Stein

Alternative religious groups have had a profound influence on American history-they have challenged the old and opened up new ways of thinking about healing, modes of meaning, religious texts and liturgies, the social and political order, and the relationships between religion and race, class, gender, and region. Virtually always, the dramatic, dynamic history of alternative religions runs parallel to that of dissent in America.
Communities of Dissent is an evenhanded and marvelously lively history of New Religious Movements in America. Stephen J. Stein describes the evolution and structure of alternative religious movements from both sides: the critics and the religious dissenters themselves. Providing a fascinating look at a wide range of New Religious Movements, he investigates obscure groups such as the 19th-century Vermont Pilgrims, who wore bearskins and refused to bathe or cut their hair, alongside better-known alternative believers, including colonial America's largest outsider faith, the Quakers; 17th- and 18th-century Mennonites, Amish, and Shakers; and the Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Black Muslims, and Scientologists of today.
Accessible and comprehensive, Communities of Dissent also covers the milestones in the history of alternative American religions, from the infamous Salem witch trials and mass suicide/murder at Jonestown to the positive ways in which alternative religions have affected racial relations, the empowerment of women, and American culture in general.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History

184 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2003

About the author

Stephen J. Stein is professor of religious studies, adjunct professor of history, and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Indiana University.

Reviews

[Adam Sweatman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of NRMs in the US. Because of its generality I found it a little unsatisfying, and I thought some of his arguments could have been pushed a little further. Why, for example, is there a connection between female leadership and healing movements? Ultimately I enjoyed it as a primer, but I was left with questions.

[Lydia M · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my Newer Religious Movements class, this was the first assigned book, and was a great, short overview of nontraditional religions in America. A very quick and easy read, it provided a good foundation for the rest of the semester.

[Skye]

A super interesting, quick read that kept my attention - Easily finished in 2 hours.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last chapter was the most interesting, but the entire book kinda sucked me in

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic little volume on the history of NRMs in America. Extremely legible and clear, perfect for student use.

[char · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alright enough as an introduction, but too basic of an overview, to the point of leaving out what would otherwise be important/relevant information (eg: while describing Black Muslims/Nation of Islam, Stein describes how members were instructed to wash their hands and feet before praying, neglecting to mention that this practice, wudu, is in all of Islam, and not just some strange thing from some fringe group). The addition of primary texts is a nice touch but pretty much the only redeemable thing about the book.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting introduction into the different religious movements, mostly Protestant, that have come and gone in the United States and their impact on our society, through laws, education, and even health care reform.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great book for an undergraduate survey course on religion in the US; indeed, I will probably use it the next time I teach it. A more factual book than one that advances an argument. More could have been said about the interest in NRMs over the past century.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this text. Communities of Dissent informs about numerous alternative religious movements in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. It was an accessible and relatively quick read. Most importantly, it was filled with a lot of fascinating information.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and informative, it was nothing particularly special.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I skimmed more than read this. But the content I got was fascinating and revealed a lot about our culture and values over time. It was easy to read as a non-religion scholar.

[Helga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a much faster read than I had expected. It gives a good history of alternative religious groups in the US and explains why these groups can be good. It is a different perspective than the general 'cults are bad and we need to deprogram everyone' view taken by most as it focuses on the good of the groups testing Constitutional boundaries and developing new ways of expressing belief. We already know that some cults are bad. This book provides some balance.