Day 25 (July 17):  Asian-American Religions and New Religious Movements

a)Morning Session - Asian-American Religions

Here we look at the extraordinary variety of Asian-Americans religions in southern Californa -- Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian;  sectarian splits within traditions; and ethnicity and generation. The history of public involvement and how it has changed will be reviewed. We shall look at the tension between specific Asian American religious groups and the unity their members feel as Asian American. In particular, Buddhist versus Christian styles of public involvement will be contrasted. Lecture and discussion.

Speaker:

Paul Spickard, faculty member in the History Department at UCSB

Assigned Reading:

Fengang Yang, "Chinese American Religions," Reader

Paul Spickard, "Japanese Religions," Reader

Steven Prothero, "Hinduism," Reader

Richard Hughes Seagar, Buddhism in America.      

b)Afternoon Session - New Religious Movements including Evangelicals

California is a seedbed of religious movements. The types of movements, especially since the 1960s, will be reviewed. They may be described as metaphysical, schismatic from established traditions, and syncretistic. Evangelical Christian movements are linked to California, and particularly those that emerged in the 1960s known as "Jesus Freaks." Out of this history came movements such as Calvary Chapel, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and Hope Chapel, that are among the most rapidly growing anywhere. They are innovative in spearheading new organization forms, appropriating culturally current music and worship, and democratizing access to the sacred. The session will explore the affinity between religious and spiritual movements and the California experience. Lecture and discussion.

Speaker:

J. Gordon Melton, editor of the Encyclopedia of American Religions

Assigned Reading:

Roger E. Olson, "Born-Again Christians," Reader

Mark A. Shibley, "Contemporary Evangelicals: Born-Again and World-Affirming," The Annals

                        J. Gordon Melton, "Another Look at New Religions," Reader

c) Evening - Concert at the Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara (Optional)