This updated, revised version of the important 1988 first edition (“must reading for anyone seriously probing religious pluralism in our society”—Theology Today) examines the complex relationship between American ideals and increasing religious diversity. In the past two decades, American religion has become more pluralistic and the central dynamic of welcoming versus rejecting religious diversity is even more prominent and nuanced. Explored here are two competing visions of the American Dream as it relates to religion: America as a pluralistic society shaped by its diversity, and America as an assimilative society in which people of all backgrounds become “American.”

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

E. Allen Richardson is a professor of religious studies at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

E. Allen Richardson
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 276
Bibliographic Info: 24 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3539-5
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5727-4
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix

Foreword by Diana L. Eck      1

Preface      3

1. Where Distant Gods Collide      7

2. One Nation—Divisible      52

3. Melting Pot and Mosaic      105

4. Pluralism and Denominationalism      130

5. Pluralism and Conflict      168

6. The Dynamics of American Pluralism in a Post–9/11 World      198

Chapter Notes      221

Bibliography      241

Index      257

“Must reading for anyone seriously probing religious pluralism in our society”—Theology Today