Princeton
University
ISBN
0195106806
From the Publisher:
Throughout African-American history, religion has been indelibly
intertwined with the fight against intolerance and racial prejudice. Martin
Luther King, Jr.-America's best-known champion of civil liberties-was a
Baptist minister. Father Divine, a fiery preacher who established a large
following in the 1920s and 1930s, convinced his disciples that he could cure
not only disease and infirmity, but also poverty and racism.
An in-depth examination of African-American history and religion, this
comprehensive and lively book provides panoramic coverage of the black
religious and social experience in America. Renowned historian Albert J.
Raboteau traces the subtle blending of African tribal customs with the
powerful Christian establishment, the migration to cities, the growth of
Islam, and the 200-year fight for freedom and identity which was so often
centered around African-American churches. From the African Methodist
Episcopal Church to the Nation of Islam and from the first African slaves to
Louis Farrakhan, this far-reaching book chronicles the evolution of an
important and influential component of our religious and historical
heritage. African American Religion combines meticulously researched
historical facts with a fast-paced, engaging narrative that will appeal to
readers of any age. Religion in American Life explores the evolution,
character, and dynamics of organized religion in America from 1500 to the
present day. Written by distinguished religious historians, these books
weave together the varying stories that compose the religious fabric of the
United States, from Puritanism to alternative religious practices. Primary
source material coupled with handsome illustrations and lucid text make
these books essential in any exploration of America's diverse nature. Each
book includes a chronology, suggestions for further reading, and index. |
