This text introduces students to both primary sources and analytical essays and is designed to encourage critical thinking about religion in America. The book which is suitable for courses on the history of religion, or American religious historypresents a carefully selected group of readings organized to allow students to evaluate primary sources, test the interpretations of distinguished historians, and draw their own conclusions.

Each chapter rounds out its presentation of documents and essays by providing introductions, source notes, and suggested readings. The text covers the history of American religion from colonial times to the present, providing thorough discussions of:

• immigrants' religions
• issues relating to gender and religion
• reform movements and religion
• religion in the African American community
• relationships between war, politics, and religion

1. Approaches to American Religious History : ESSAYS

1. Philip Schaff. Religious Vitality and Church-State Separation
2. H. Richard Niebuhr. America's Geographical Diversity Encourages Numerous Religious Denominations
3. R. Finke and R. Stark. Church Membership has Increased Throughout American History, Especially in the Most Demanding Groups
4. R. Laurence Moore. Religious Outsiders and Civil Religion

2. European-Indian Encounters: 1500-1876 : DOCUMENTS

1. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Describes Cortes' Replacement of Human Sacrifice with the Cult of the Virgin Mary, 1519
2. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish castaway, becomes an Indian healer, 1542
3. Joseph Jouvency, a Jesuit priest, Discusses Death and Hell with Canadian Indians, 1610
4. Roger Williams explains Rhode Island Indians' Language and Religion, 1643
5. Mary Jemison Describes the Five Feasts by which the Seneca Marked the Changing Seasons, c.1750
6. Tecaughretanego Explains why the Great Spirit Sometimes Permits Men to go Hungry Before Feeding Them, 1758
7. John Heckwelder Describes the Delaware India