Day 5 (June 27): History of American Religion

a) Morning Session - Newmade in America

In this session we shall look at religions that emerged in the U.S. The Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Christian Scientists, religious communes, Theosophy, New Thought and other metaphysical traditions will all be topics for review. Despite their many differences they all bear the strong influences of the American context.

Speaker: Dr. Catherine L. Albanese

Assigned Reading:

America: Religion and Religions, Part One B and C

b) Afternoon Session - The Public Face of Religion

In this last historical overview, we look at the public character of religion in the U.S. Heavily influenced by Protestant themes of virtue and morality, the "oneness" of American religion emerges:  a respect for faith and its core unifying values. Public religion as expressions of religious belief and behavior on the part of religious organizations is distinguished from "civil religion," which is an expression of national faith and symbolism; and both are distinguished from "cultural religion," having to do with holidays like Mother's Day and Labor Day. We shall discuss the public face of religion as multilayered and pluraform.

Speaker: Prof. Catherine L. Albanese

Assigned Reading:

Catherine L. Albanese, America: Religion and Religions, Part Two

Martin E. Marty, "Public Religion," Reader