Christopher Buck examines the distinctive perspectives held by ten religious traditions that inform and expand on the notion of America and its place in the world. He covers Native American, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Christian Identity, Black Muslim, Islamic, Buddhist, and Bahá’í beliefs and invites serious reflection on what it means to be an American, particularly from a religious perspective At the heart of American studies is the idea of America itself. Here, Buck looks at the religious significance of America by examining those religions that have attached some kind of spiritual meaning to America. The author explores how American Protestantism and nine minority faiths have projected America into the mainstream of world history by defining—and redefining— America’s world role. Surveying the religious myths and visions of America relative to these ten religions, Buck shows how minority faiths have redefined America’s sense of national purpose. Religious myths of America are thought-orienting narratives that serve as vehicles of spiritual and social truths about the United States itself. Religious visions of America are action-oriented agendas that articulate the goals to which America should aspire and the role it should play in the community of nations.

REVIEWS

On the premise that America is both ‘nation and notion,’ this project is a breath of methodological fresh air. Religious Myths and Visions of America is a novel, imaginative, and rigorously scholarly contribution to comparative religion, worthy of serious attention and debate.
Prof. Todd Lawson, University of Toronto emeritus

"This is an ambitious and unique work, covering a broad range of religious visions of America in their global context. Buck’s firm theoretical framework and rigorous documentation make this a significant contribution to contemporary discussions of the place, role, and future of the diversity of religions that make up America today."
Prof. Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria, Canada emeritus