Religious diversity is more prolific and wide-ranging in the United States than in any other country. The legal guarantee of religious freedom has encouraged respect for religious differences as well as a tendency to debunk institutional religious authority. In this outstanding historical Reader, the editor has gathered nine essays and over thirty primary documents to present a coherent picture of the history of American religion. The picture is a balanced one, identifying major developments and important controversies in American religious history as well as presenting a wide range of beliefs and practices. The book also includes an introductory essay and headnotes that serve as a map for the dozens of articles and documents that follow. Through this volume, students and scholars will understand more about some of the most significant moments, trends, aspects, and interpretations of American religious history.