Religion: Religion in America

Presents a cross-cultural approach that emphasizes religion's role within everyday life and as a unique experience from culture to culture.

A multidisciplinary approach that addresses all aspects of the dialogue between the sciences and the world's religions, reaching into the humanities as well as into the physical sciences and technology.

Uses maps and words to reflect the 200-year history of American religion.

Examines issues surrounding religion and government, religion, the family, and education, and religious convictions and practices in public life.

Signed articles focus exclusively on religion, its place in African and African-American societies, and its impact on society in general.

All articles are signed and include bibliographic references.

Focuses on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many new religious movements--their beliefs and practices, peoples and places--from a historical perspective.

Contains information on approximately a thousand religious groups. Includes references and web site addresses at the bottom of entries.

The entries cover the spiritual traditions of Native peoples in the United States and Canada before contact with Europeans and Americans, the consequences of contact on sacred traditions, and contemporary religious forms.

Traces the roots of the relationship between politics and religion from antiquity to today, revealing how it has shaped public discourse, social attitudes, collective action and national and international policy.

Alphabetically arranged entries include the major persons, themes, terms, instutions or groups, books, and secular topics that lend themselves to religious controversy.