Encyclopedia of American Religions

Encyclopedia of American Religions is a comprehensive reference work documenting religious bodies, movements, and groups across the United States and Canada. The book catalogs over 2,300 religious organizations, providing details about their history, beliefs, practices, and leadership structures. Each entry contains factual information about the founding and development of religious groups, along with membership statistics and demographic data. The encyclopedia covers mainstream denominations, alternative religions, and emerging spiritual movements from the colonial period through contemporary times. The work is organized into religious families or traditions, with detailed cross-referencing and indexing systems to help readers locate specific groups and trace their historical connections. The entries maintain a neutral, academic tone while presenting the self-understanding and claims of each religious body. The encyclopedia stands as a key scholarly resource for understanding the breadth and diversity of North American religious life. Its systematic documentation of both major and minor religious movements reveals the complex tapestry of beliefs that have shaped American spiritual culture.

Readers value this reference work for its comprehensive coverage of religious groups in America, including small denominations and emerging movements. Multiple librarians and religious scholars note its usefulness as a starting point for research. Likes: - Detailed entries on obscure religious movements - Clear organization and cross-referencing - Regular updates with new editions - Inclusion of membership statistics and contact information Dislikes: - Some entries lack depth - High cost limits accessibility - Some readers report factual errors in specific denominational histories - Descriptions occasionally reflect author bias, according to some reviewers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 reviews) WorldCat: Recommended by 92% of academic librarians surveyed One seminary librarian called it "the first place to look for basic information about any American religious group." Several reviewers noted its value for journalists and researchers needing quick overviews of unfamiliar religious movements.

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📚 First published in 1978, the Encyclopedia has grown from covering 1,200 religious groups to over 2,300 groups in its latest edition. 🔍 Author J. Gordon Melton founded the Institute for the Study of American Religion in 1969 and maintains the largest collection of materials on religious groups in North America. ⚜️ The encyclopedia categorizes American religious groups into "families," helping readers understand relationships between seemingly unrelated denominations and movements. 🗂️ The work is considered the most comprehensive resource on American religious diversity, including detailed information on both mainstream faiths and small, obscure groups. 🌟 Melton personally visited and interviewed members of many religious groups to gather firsthand information, often traveling across the country to ensure accuracy in his documentation.