Religious Myths and Visions of America
How Minority Faiths Redefined America's World Role
Christopher Buck
0-313-35959-8/978-0-313-35959-0
Description
At the heart of American studies is the idea of America itself. Here, Buck looks at the religious significance of America by examining those religions that have attached some kind of spiritual meaning to America. The author explores how American Protestantism-and nine minority faiths-have projected America into the mainstream of world history by defining-and by redefining-America's world role. Surveying the religious myths and visions of America of ten religions, Buck shows how minority faiths have redefined America's sense of national purpose. This book invites serious reflection on what it means to be an American, particularly from a religious perspective.Religious myths of America are thought-orienting narratives that serve as vehicles of spiritual and social truths about the United States itself. Religious visions of America are action-oriented agendas that articulate the goals to which America should aspire and the role it should play in the community of nations. Buck examines the distinctive perspectives held by ten religious traditions that inform and expand on the notion of America, and its place in the world. He covers Native American, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Christian Identity, Black Muslim, Islamic, Buddhist, and Baha'i beliefs and invites serious reflection on what it means to be an American, particularly from a religious perspective.
Reviews:
-
"Buck, an attorney and independent scholar who has taught at several universities, describes how minority religions have shaped America. He considers the myths and views of America in Protestantism and nine minority faiths—Native American religion (Iroquois), Catholicism, Judaism, Mormonism, Christian Identity (white nationalism), Black Muslim, Islam, Buddhism, and the Bahá'í Faith—particularly for what they have to say about America. He addresses specific myths, such as those about the 'promised land,' Manifest Destiny, race, and America's world role."
—Reference & Research Book News
About the Author
Christopher Buck
is a Pennsylvania attorney and independent scholar, who has taught at Michigan State University, Quincy University, Millikin University, and Carleton University. His publications include
Alain Locke: Faith and Philosophy
,
Paradise and Paradigm: Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Baha'i Faith
,
Symbol and Secret: Qur'an Commentary in Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i-Iqan
, as well as a number of book chapters, journal articles, and encyclopedia articles.
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0-313-35959-8
978-0-313-35959-0
Religious Myths and Visions of America
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