Preface Introduction: Major Themes in American Religious History 1. Colonial Encounters 2. Native American Religions 3. Civil Religion and National Identity 4. Theology 5. Evangelicals in American History 6. Religion and Politics 7. Religion and the Law in American History 8. Religion, War, and Peace 9. Religion, Gender, and Sexuality 10. Religion, Race, and African American Life 11. Religion, Ethnicity, and the Immigrant Experience 12. Asian American Religions 13. Alternative Religious Movements in American History 14. Religion and the Environment 15. Religion and Popular Culture 16. Religious Conservatism and Fundamentalism 17. Catholicism in America 18. American Judaism 19. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") 20. Islam in America American Religious History, A-Z Bibliography Filmography Discography Selected Online American Religious History Resources Contributors Index

The Columbia Guide to Religion in American History serves scholars, students, and general readers who search for reliable narratives and resource texts on American religious history in an environment where older, guiding narratives have been complicated and occasionally rendered suspect by more recent research. Harvey and Blum's compilation seeks to offer basic information as well as a synthetic and interpretive set of guidelines, and succeeds in both aims. -- Tracy Fessenden, author of Culture and Redemption: Religion, the Secular, and American Literature As Maimonides did for theology, this book offers a guide that deepens understanding of the perplexities of American religious history while orienting readers to its terrain. Employing a sophisticated approach to historical studies of religion, the essays are organized around dialectical tensions within American religion rather than one-sided themes. Reflecting the deep engagement with historiography that both Harvey and Blum are known for, this volume will be much appreciated by readers seeking a comprehensive map of the territory. -- Dr. Amanda Porterfield, Robert A. Spivey Professor of Religion and History, Florida State University Harvey and Blum have done a great service in creating this readable, accessible overview of so many important topics. -- Matthew Avery Sutton Christian Century ...an important reference work, welcome for its breadth and portability. Highly Recommended. Choice The Columbia Guide to Religion in American History will be a beneficial addition to the reference section of any university library. -- Brian C. Wilson Journal of Church and State

Paul Harvey and Edward J. Blum, both distinguished and well published scholars, have brought together a stellar group of established and younger scholars of American religion to produce a rich and rewarding guide through the thickets of American religious history. The volume highlights in a unique way the tensions, conflicts, and creativity of American religions. Harvey and Blum open the book with a probing introduction, an extended essay that lucidly and compellingly captures in ten themes the paradoxes of religion in American history. Innovative approaches, new areas of inquiry, up-to-date scholarship, and profound insights are to be found in twenty essays ranging from topics such as "Colonial Encounters" to "Religion and the Environment." I highly recommend this profound contribution to the field of religion in American history. -- Curtis J. Evans, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity, University of Chicago Divinity School