Communities of Dissent: A History of Alternative Religions in America (Religion in American Life)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.88 (875 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0195158253 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 184 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-03-25 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Rob B. said worth the read. This book was a joy to read. I recommend it to anyone who wants a brief history of alternative religions/cults in America. The author does a great job of giving the reader a feel for the orgins, ideas, and impact of many different religions.Now what this book does not do is provide an indepth look at religions. All religions are covered in brief.The one glaring flaw of this book is that the author sees virtually all religions and cults through rose colored glasses. He does a great job of showing the positive aspects of various religions/cults but ignores the down side.An additional book I recomme. "An important study of motives in altenative American religions" according to S. Paulson. I bought this book several years ago, and have discovered I use it as a go-to book to help explain to others how to deal with their reactions to 'others.' I don't think Stein intended this succinct book to serve as a comprehensive study on NRMs, but to focus on a basic concept that is essential for understanding them. Very glad to have this well-written presentation on such an important subject in this history of American religions.. "The book is an intelligent and colorful history of the forces shaping the creative" according to Kevin Corn. I chose this book for a freshman class that I teach in American religion. The book is an intelligent and colorful history of the forces shaping the creative periphery of American religious life. Though short, it manages to tease out many of the key elements that connect religion to the larger American culture.
. His books include Jonathan Edwards's Writings: Text, Context, Interpretation, The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers, and The Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism: Apocalypticism in the Modern Period and the Contemporary Age (editor). Stephen J. Stein is a professor of religious studies at Indiana University
The tone throughout is nonjudgmental and the emphasis is on people and their ideas. The prose is very readable and the vocabulary is well within the range of junior or senior high school students."--Religious Studies in Secondary Schools"Primary source inserts for each chapter and an abundance of period illustrations move the discussion along."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Exactly what the title says: a survey of Quakers, Christian Scientists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses, among many
Virtually always, the dramatic, dynamic history of alternative religions runs parallel to that of dissent in America. Stein describes the evolution and structure of alternative religious movements from both sides: the critics and the religious dissenters themselves. Stephen J. Alternative religious groups have had a profound influence on American history-they have challenged the old and opened up new ways of thinking about healing, modes of meaning, religious texts and liturgies, the social and political order, and the relationships between religion and race, class, gender, and region. Providing a fascinating look a