Native American religions, Protestantism, Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and most other world religions have something in common: They are all practiced in America. Americans are religious people. We cannot fully understand America, says volume editor Jacob Neusner, without making sense of its diverse religious life. We need to understand what religion is thought to be, how it works, and why it matters to people. The contributors to this volume provide basic information about each religion, give its history, review the figures who founded it, and emphasize how each religion appeared in America. Throughout, concern is fiven to two questions: How does religion shape American life? and How does religion impact the political life of this country? Each chapter ends with questions for discussion, essay topics for further study, and a section that examines significant vocabulary in each tradition. This book will bring insight to the reader, ignite discussion, and allow an understanding of the many peoples and religions of America.