Description
Book SynopsisMethodists to Congregationalists, Mormons to Jews, Church of God to the International Church of the Foursquare Gospelthe story of religion in the United States is in large part the story of its paradoxical religious organizations. Through both words and maps, The Atlas of American Religion brings coherence to the shifting picture of 200 years of American religious history. From independence to the present, the Atlas charts the evolution of the 39 major denominations and sects in the U.S. Also, Newman and Halvorson offer a new five-fold typology categorizing religious organizations. Their definitions of national denominations, multiregional denominations, classic sects, multiregional sects and national sects brings new precision and clarity to our understanding of religious organizations. And with 92 two-color maps depicting this changing religious landscape, the Atlas of American Religion makes an indispensable reference for anyone interested in the sociology or history of the religiou
Trade ReviewThe Atlas of American Religion is...a recommendable book. It is well-written, easy to understand and helps to fill a large hole in American demographics....The authors are to be congratulated on overcoming the difficulty of compiling comparable data from such divergent sources. -- Donald Woolley, (North Carolina State University) * Contemporary Sociology *
There has not been a successful attempt at compiling and publishing a comprehensive atlas of American religion—that is, until now....The result is a very informative and useful volume, both as a reference volume and as a introductory narrative, which should find its way into the library of every serious American religious historian. Beyond that, however, it has as immensely practical value and applicability for the parish pastor, for it can help him understand the denominational delelopment of his particular deographic setting; something no pastor should undervalue as he engages in the ministry. -- Lawrence R. Rast Jr. * Concordia Theological Quarterly *
Brings a new precision and welcome clarity to our understanding of religious organizations in America....An indispensable personal, academic, church, and public library reference book. * Midwest Book Review *
This really is a good comprehensive analysis of religions, church growth and change throughout the history of the United States. Larger congregational libraries should consider this for their reference collections. Many denominational libraries, local, regional and national, should have it in order to understand their place in their position on the religious landscape. This is a unique reference book that many will find useful for various types of research. * Congregational Libraries Today *
Scholars of religion will find it is the most helpful source available for examining the changing patterns of of church membership in America. -- Gary Holloway, (Lipscomb University) * Stone-Campbell Journal *
Remarkable.... This Atlas's synergy is a welcome result of a partnership between a sociologist (Newman) and a geographer (Halvorson). Highly recommended to students of American history, sociology, and geography. -- Richard Francaviglia, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography, University of Texas at Arlington * Fronteras *
This book presents a compilation of maps, tables, and figures that focus both on the historical development and growth patterns of organized American religious institutions covering the period from 1776 to 1990....The authors are sensitive to the fact that such maps and tables not only present statistics but encapsulate rich stories of the growth and decline of American religious institutions and the religiosity of their members....The authors also provide basic information on church/sect typology, ethnicity, regionalism, etc., to aid those readers who may lack a basic knowledge of the sociology of religion. This text, therefore is useful as an introduction for neophyte students of American religion. Because the text represents the processing of much information from the US Census Bureau's surveys and other denomination data sources, it is also a useful text for teachers of American religion, and its many maps could be used as illustrations to complement classroom lectures....This book would be a valuable addition to institutional and personal libraries. -- Leonard Norman Primiano, (Cabrini College) * Religious Studies Review *
Readers may well have their interest piqued and thus read this volume thoroughly so as to better argue or concur with the authors' categorizations. Whether one agrees as to whether a particular religious body is a denomination or a sect, however, does not diminish this volume's value as a summary of the history of major religious groups' growth and spread in the continental United States. In short, this is an excellent reference book. -- Adair T. Lummis, Hartford Institute for Religion Research * Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *
The appearance of what is getting to be dubbed 'Newman & Halvorson' will be welcomed by those who have depended on the one condensed as 'Gaustad' since 1962....Most readers will find it readily available and useful for access to the segmented, fragmented, pluralist society that also offers some coherences that Newman & Halvorson implies and discerns. While Newman & Halvorson does not displace Gaustad I, it is not likely to be displaced by Gaustad II, or other atlases possibly in the offing. -- Martin E. Marty, (University of Chicago) * Annals of the Association of American Geographers *
Highly recommended. -- D.D. Siles, (Elmhurst College) * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1-Organizing Religions in America chapter 2 A. The Founding Faiths and Organizational Beginnings chapter 3 B. Social Change and Religious Diversification chapter 4 C. Religious Consolidation in the Modern Era chapter 5 Chapter 2-Counting the Faithful chapter 6 A. Data Sources on Religion in America chapter 7 B. Early Private and Census Enumerations chapter 8 C. Later Census Enumerations chapter 9 D. The Church Membership Studies chapter 10 E. Regional Considerations chapter 11 Chapter 3-The Denominational Matrix chapter 12 A. In Search of Types and Processes chapter 13 B. Defining Criteria for Denominations and Sects chapter 14 C. Toward a Process Model chapter 15 Chapter 4-The Denominations chapter 16 A. Introduction chapter 17 B. National Denominations chapter 18 C. Multiregional Denominations chapter 19 Chapter 5-The Sects chapter 20 A. Introduction chapter 21 B. Classic Sects chapter 22 C. Multiregional Sects chapter 23 D. National Sects
