Religion in Contemporary America

This book offers a fresh, engaging, multi-disciplinary introduction to religion in contemporary America. Students and instructors will find the combination of historical and sociological perspectives an invaluable aid to understanding a fascinating but complex field. The first section explores the roots of contemporary American religion from the 1950s up to the present day, looking at the major traditions including mainline Protestantism, the evangelical-pentecostal surge, Catholicism, Judaism, African-American religions and new religious movements. It asks whether Americans are becoming less religious, and how religious thought has moved from traditional systematic theology to approaches such as black and feminist theology and environmental theology. The second section introduces students to religion and social theory, before exploring key issues and themes that cut through the traditions and timelines of Part One: religion and social change, politics, transmitting religion, gender, sexuality and religion, race and poverty, religion and diversity.