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Columbia Histories of Modern American Life
Religion in America Since 1945: A History
Moving far beyond the realm of traditional "church history," Patrick Allitt here offers a vigorous and erudite survey of the broad canvas of American religion since World War II. Identifying the major trends and telling moments within major denominations and also in less formal religious movements, he asks how these religious groups have shaped, and been shaped by, some of the most important and divisive issues and events of the last half the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, feminism and the sexual revolution, abortion rights, the antinuclear and environmentalist movements, and many others.
Allitt argues that the boundaries between religious and political discourse have become increasingly blurred in the last fifty years. Having been divided along denominational lines in the early postwar period, religious Americans had come by the 1980s to be divided along political lines instead, as they grappled with the challenges of modernity and secularism. Partly because of this politicization, and partly because of the growing influence of Asian, Latino, and other ethnic groups, the United States is anomalous among the Western industrialized nations, as church membership and religious affiliation generally increased during this period. Religion in America Since 1945 is a masterful analysis of this dynamism and diversity and an ideal starting point for any exploration of the contemporary religious scene.
Allitt argues that the boundaries between religious and political discourse have become increasingly blurred in the last fifty years. Having been divided along denominational lines in the early postwar period, religious Americans had come by the 1980s to be divided along political lines instead, as they grappled with the challenges of modernity and secularism. Partly because of this politicization, and partly because of the growing influence of Asian, Latino, and other ethnic groups, the United States is anomalous among the Western industrialized nations, as church membership and religious affiliation generally increased during this period. Religion in America Since 1945 is a masterful analysis of this dynamism and diversity and an ideal starting point for any exploration of the contemporary religious scene.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 21, 2010
I like the premise of the book, but found parts of it to be exteremly dry. I had hoped to learn more about non-Christian, non-Jewish people in this country, but the book was mostly focused on the switch from traditional Christian and Jewish culture to where we are today.
I liked reading about the Moral Majority and Promise Keepers because they are movements I'd heard about, but had no real knowledge about what they stood for and did.
Overall I found the book interesting, but not exactly what I was looking for.
I liked reading about the Moral Majority and Promise Keepers because they are movements I'd heard about, but had no real knowledge about what they stood for and did.
Overall I found the book interesting, but not exactly what I was looking for.
August 10, 2009
Covers a lot of ground fairly concisely. It did make me curious to learn more about a number of events/incidents/people that are only briefly talked about.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews