A New Religious America: How a "Christian Country" Has Become the World's Most Religiously Diverse Nation

Diana L. Eck examines America's transformation from a predominantly Christian nation to one of remarkable religious diversity. Her research documents the expansion of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and other faith communities across the United States during the late 20th century. The book presents histories of various religious groups and their establishment of temples, mosques, and other houses of worship in American cities and towns. Eck chronicles the challenges these communities faced and their gradual integration into American society through interviews, historical records, and first-hand observations. The narrative covers specific geographic regions and religious demographics while exploring questions of religious pluralism and American identity. Eck considers how immigration policy changes and shifting cultural attitudes have reshaped America's religious landscape. This work serves as both a demographic study and a reflection on what religious diversity means for American democracy and civic life. The book raises fundamental questions about religious freedom, tolerance, and the evolution of American values in an increasingly multicultural society.

Readers describe this book as an informative overview of America's religious landscape, particularly focusing on Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim communities. Many readers note it helped them understand the growth of non-Christian faiths in America. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of different religious practices - First-hand accounts and interviews - Historical context of immigration patterns - Maps and demographics data - Balanced, academic tone Common criticisms: - Too much focus on the author's personal experiences - Some sections feel repetitive - Could use more coverage of smaller religious groups - Writing style can be dry - Published in 2001, statistics now outdated Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (226 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (47 ratings) One reader noted: "Excellent resource for understanding religious pluralism, though dense at times." Another wrote: "Good information but needed better editing - same points made multiple times."

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🌟 Diana Eck developed the groundbreaking Pluralism Project at Harvard University in 1991, documenting America's shifting religious landscape through a network of student researchers and affiliates. 🌟 The book reveals that by the year 2000, there were more Muslim Americans than Episcopalians, more Muslims than members of the Presbyterian Church USA. 🌟 Los Angeles has become home to the largest variety of Buddhist communities in the world, surpassing even many Asian cities in its diversity of Buddhist traditions. 🌟 The first Hindu temple in America was established in San Francisco in 1906 by Bengali monk Swami Trigunatita, a direct disciple of Ramakrishna. 🌟 The research behind the book discovered over 1,600 mosques, 2,000 Buddhist temples, and 700 Hindu temples across America, many of which were established in the decades following the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.