World Religions in America, Fourth Edition: An Introduction / Edition 4

by Jacob Neusner

Overview

The fourth edition of World Religions in America continues its lauded tradition of providing students with reliable and nuanced information about America's religious diversity, while also reflecting new developments and ideas. Each chapter was updated to reflect important changes and events, and current statistics and information. New features include a timeline of key events and people for each tradition, sidebars on major movements or controversies, personal stories from members of various faiths, a theme-based organization of subjects, more subheads, three new chapters exploring America's increasing religious diversity, and suggestions for further study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664233204
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	10/07/2009
Series:	World Religions in America
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Jacob Neusner is Distinguished Service Professor of the History and Theology of Judaism and Bard Center Fellow at the Bard College Institute of Advanced Theology in Annondale-on-Hudson, New York. He is the author of several books, including Judaism When Christianity Began, The Emergence of Judaism, and the popular textbook World Religions in America, all of which are available from WJK.

Table of Contents

	List of Illustrations	vii
	Preface to the Third Edition	ix
	Acknowledgments	xi
	Introduction	1
1.	Native Americans and Their Religions	8
2.	Protestant Christianity in the World and in America	24
3.	The Religious World of African Americans	48
4.	The Catholics in the World and in America	66
5.	The Religious World of Hispanic Americans	78
6.	Orthodox Christianity in the World and in America	92
7.	Judaism in the World and in America	106
8.	Hinduism in India and in America	124
9.	Buddhism in the World and in America	142
10.	East Asian Religions in Today's America	154
11.	Islam in the World and in America	172
12.	World Religions Made in the U.S.A.: Apocalyptic Communities--Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses	186
13.	World Religions Made in the U.S.A.: Metaphysical Communities--Christian Science and Theosophy	202
14.	The Church of Scientology: A Very New American Religion	220
15.	Nature Religions: American Neopaganism and Witchcraft	238
16.	The Baha'i Faith in the World and in America	256
17.	The Latter-day Saint (Mormon) Religion in America and the World	272
18.	Religion and Women in America	290
19.	Religion and Politics in America	302
20.	Religion and Society in America	314
	Glossary	323
	Index	333

Editorial Reviews

In this work, whose format suggests a collection of essays instead of a standard textbook, each of 14 chapters is devoted to a religious group or topic and written by a prominent scholar in the field of religious studies. The scholars provide factual data concerning each religion or topic, as well as their personal observations, opinions, and conclusions, giving the student not only a well-informed introduction to religions in America but also a sense that these religions are alive, active, and relevant to one's and the world's well-being. Of special interest are the chapters on religion and its relationship to women, politics, and society in general. Every chapter ends with study questions, essay topics, word explorations, and a further reading list. Recommended for high school libraries and undergraduate college libraries.-- Glenn Masuchika, Chaminade Univ. Lib., Honolulu

Library Journal

Fourteen contributed chapters introduce the basics of the diverse religions of America: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestantism, and the religions of African, Native, and Hispanic Americans. Study questions and essay topics follow each chapter. The level is high school or above. Paper edition (unseen), $12.99. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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