Religious Pluralism in America: The Contentious History of a Founding Ideal

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Yale University Press, 2003 M01 1 - 276 pages
In this groundbreaking and timely history, an eminent historian of religion chronicles America's struggle to fulfill the promise of religious toleration enshrined in our Constitution. William Hutchison shows that as Catholics, Mormons, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and others emerged to challenge the Protestant mainstream, we have expanded our understanding of what it means to be a religiously diverse country.

?[This] landmark study address[es] a topic that is both central to American history and relevant to pressing current debates. . . . Stimulating, illuminating, and provocative.”?Mark Noll

?A fascinating account of how religious pluralism, a pluralism that now accepts the most distant stretches of religious diversity, has become institutionalized in the United States.”?Nathan Glazer

?Rich and engaging.”?Thomas C. Berg, Christian Century

?Hutchison's history is learned and accessible. In its use of cultural evidence?including political cartoons, gospel lyrics, portraits, and photographs?it is even entertaining. . . . More importantly, at all points it is clear.”?Erin Leib, New York Sun
 

Contents

III
9
IV
28
VI
57
VII
82
VIII
137
IX
168
X
194
XI
217
XII
239
XIII
255
XIV
261
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About the author (2003)

William R. Hutchison is Charles Warren Research Professor of the History of Religion in America at the Divinity School, Harvard University.

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