Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States, 2nd Edition [2 volumes]

This book provides a thorough introduction to historical and contemporary issues in American religion, tackling controversial hot-button topics such as abortion, Intelligent Design, and Scientology.Surveying key aspects of the controversial issues, persons, and religious groups of today, Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States, Second Edition is a thorough update and expansion of the first edition of this book.This two-volume work contains many new entries that reflect current 21st-century religious controversies. Written by a variety of scholars with varying specializations, the content covers major people, ideas, terms, institutions, groups, books, and events. The A–Z format allows for easy location of materials, a chronology of developments and events enables readers to trace the development of contentious topics over time, and a section of primary document excerpts gives readers further perspective on the issues.Approximately 500 entries written by more than 60 contributorsPrimary documents that provide firsthand accounts of issues and events

"A great resource for preliminary research, it would be a worthwhile addition to any reference collection. Summing Up: Recommended." - Choice, "The entries here are clearly written and convey the basic facts related to the origins and development of each debate. The authors cover the full spectrum of religious controversies, and it seems that none has been overlooked. Because of the brevity of the entries, this work will be best used as an introduction to a particular topic or to American religious life in general." - Library Journal, "The writing is uniformly clear, providing an overview as well as an in-depth look at the topic. Complicated or divisive controversies are explained in a balanced way, and factual data is accurate. Readers will gain an objective understanding of major regional and national issues, which often reflect or parallel a larger global story. . . . Both general readers and advanced students will find this work valuable, and it is recommended for most public and academic libraries." - Booklist, "Shriver and Leonard have conceived and edited a useful reference work that admirably surveys the main topics of U.S. religious controversies. . . . This fine encyclopedia belongs in any library with an interest in U.S. religion." - ARBA

Bill J. Leonard, PhD, is James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies and Church History, the School of Divinity, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.Jill Y. Crainshaw, PhD, is professor of worship and liturgical theology and associate dean of academic affairs, School of Divinity, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.