America's Alternative Religions

America's Alternative Religions examines religious movements and traditions outside mainstream American Christianity. The book catalogs and analyzes diverse faith communities including Native American religions, New Age groups, neo-pagan traditions, and offshoots of major world religions. Editor Timothy Miller brings together contributions from scholars who document the origins, beliefs, practices and social impact of these alternative spiritual paths. The text covers both historical movements from the 19th century and contemporary groups that continue to shape America's religious landscape. Individual chapters focus on specific traditions like Theosophy, New Thought, Scientology, and various occult organizations. The research draws from firsthand accounts, archival materials, and academic studies to present factual portraits of these communities. The collection reveals the persistent role of alternative spirituality in American culture and identity. Through its systematic study of non-mainstream faiths, the book contributes to broader discussions about religious diversity, freedom, and pluralism in the United States.

Readers found this reference book provides an academic but accessible overview of non-mainstream American religious movements. Several reviewers noted its value as a teaching text for religious studies courses. Positives: - Clear structure with each chapter focused on a specific group - Balanced treatment of controversial movements - Includes lesser-known groups often omitted from similar texts - Thorough citations and references Criticisms: - Some chapters lack depth and read like basic encyclopedia entries - Coverage of Native American religions is limited - No discussion of some significant contemporary movements - High price point for a paperback ($45-50) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (8 reviews) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (6 ratings) One religious studies professor wrote: "The chapters on Mormonism and New Age movements are particularly strong, but the section on African American religions needed more development."

The Encyclopedia of American Religions by J. Gordon Melton A comprehensive reference work documenting over 2,300 religious movements and groups in the United States, with historical documentation and organizational information for each entry.

New Religious Movements in the United States by Jacob Needleman and George Baker This volume presents scholarly research on religious movements that emerged in America during the 20th century, focusing on their origins, beliefs, and integration into American society.

Religious Outsiders and the Making of Americans by R. Laurence Moore The text examines how marginalized religious groups shaped American religious identity through their struggles for acceptance and legitimacy.

The New Religious Movements Experience in America by Eugene V. Gallagher This work analyzes the development and impact of new religious movements in American culture from the colonial period through modern times.

American Original: A Life of Will Campbell by Thomas L. Connelly The book traces the connections between alternative religious movements and social change through the biography of a Baptist preacher who challenged conventional religious boundaries.

🔹 Timothy Miller's work at the University of Kansas made him a leading scholar in the study of intentional communities and new religious movements in America. 🔹 The book covers over 40 different religious groups and movements, including lesser-known faiths like Santería, the Nation of Islam, and various Native American spiritual traditions. 🔹 Published in 1995, this comprehensive volume was one of the first academic works to treat alternative religions with scholarly respect rather than as "cults" or deviant movements. 🔹 Many of the religious movements covered in the book gained significant followings during the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting a period of major spiritual experimentation in American society. 🔹 The text is still used in many university religious studies programs as a foundational resource for understanding the diversity of American religious expression outside mainstream Christianity and Judaism.