Moving beyond the realm of traditional "church history," this book offers a survey of American religion since World War II. Identifying the major trends and telling moments within major denominations, it asks how these religious groups have shaped, and been shaped by, some of the important and divisive issues and events of the last half century.

"Religion in America Since 1945" is a masterful analysis of this dynamism and diversity and an ideal starting point for any exploration of the contemporary religious scene.

Preface 1. Anxious Victory: 1945--1952 The War's End The American Religious Landscape Cold War of the Spirit Spiritual Peace in the 1940s 2. Religion and Materialism: 1950--1970 Fighting Godless Communism Religious Intellectuals in the 1950s Eisenhower Spirituality Church Buildings 3. Religion, Respect, and Social Change: 1955--1968 African American Religion The Civil Rights Movement Begins White Christians and Civil Rights Nonviolence in Decline Mormon America 4. New Frontiers and Old Boundaries: 1960--1969 The Catholic President The Supreme Court and Religion in Schools Vietnam, Part I Radical Theology Catholic Reform 5. Shaking the Foundations: 1963--1972 American Judaism Vietnam, Part II Catholic Challenges to Church Discipline African American Religion After King 6. Alternative Religious Worlds: 1967--1982 Space Travel Feminism and Ministry Feminist Theology New Religions, "Cults," and Their Critics Asian Spirituality in American Dress 7. Evangelicals and Politics: 1976--1990 Jimmy Carter and the Evangelical Presidency The New Christian Right and the Reagan Campaign The Abortion Controversy Wives and Mothers 8. The Christian Quest for Justice and Wisdom: 1980--1995 The Antinuclear Movement Sanctuary Creationism and Evolution Christian Academies and Home Schooling 9. Profits, Profligates, and Prophets: 1987--1995 The Evangelical Scandals A Minister in the White House? American Islam 10. The New World Order: 1989--1999 End of the Cold War Religion and Violence Environmental Spirituality Megachurches 11. Fears, Threats, and Promises: 1990--2000 Homosexuality and Religion Promise Keepers Millennial Expectation 12. The New Millennium: 2001 Religion at Ground Zero Conclusion