The ten essays in this volume explore the vast diversity of religions in the United States, from Judaic, Catholic, and African American to Asian, Muslim, and Native American traditions. Chapters on religion and the South, religion and gender, indigenous sectarian religious movements, and the metaphysical tradition round out the collection.

The contributors examine the past, present, and future of American religion, first orienting readers to historiographic trends and traditions of interpretation in each area, then providing case studies to show their vision of how these areas should be developed. Full of provocative insights into the complexity of American religion, this volume helps us better understand America's religious history and its future challenges and directions.

"This book comes along at the time when 'the center did not hold, ' when we are beginning to lose the 'core denominations' and 'mainstream historians' as a reference group. There is much fresh material here". -- Martin E. Marty, author of Religion and the Republic: The American Circumtance

"This book is balanced and makes a wonderful collection". -- Charles Lippy, author of Being Religiosity in the United States