Religious Literacy Resource Guide: Christian Communities in America
Textual Resources
Parish Boundaries by ISBN: 0226558738Publication Date: 1996-05-15John McGreevy examines the contacts and conflicts between Euro-American Catholics and their African-American neighbors. By tracing the transformation of a church, its people, and the nation, McGreevy illuminates the enormous impact of religious culture on modern American society.
With God on Our Side by ISBN: 0767922573Publication Date: 2005-06-07William Martin paints a vivid and authoritative portrait of America's most powerful political interest group. How does a free society draw the line between Church and State without removing religious conviction from public life? What motivates individual Americans to do battle in the culture wars? Most importantly, when politicians and religiously motivated activists join forces, who holds the reins?
Redeeming America by ISBN: 0807844284Publication Date: 1993-08-01Michael Lienesch identifies a cyclical redemptive pattern in the New Christian Right's approach to politics, and he argues that the movement is certain to emerge again. Explore the writings of a wide range of Christian conservatives, including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson to illuminate the beliefs and ideas on which the Christian Right movement is based.
Segregated Sabbaths: Richard Allen and the Emergence of Independent Black Churches, 1760-1840 by ISBN: 0195016777Publication Date: 1973In her first book, Carol V.R. George addresses the question of why a separate black church, the history of the African Methodist Episcopal church, and the life of bishop Richard Allen.
A New Religious America by ISBN: 0060621583Publication Date: 2001-06-05A portrait of the diversity of religion in modern America, complete with engaging characters, fascinating stories, the tragedy of misunderstanding and hatred, and the hope of new friendships, offering a road map to guide us all in the richly diverse America of the twenty-first century.
Mormonism by ISBN: 9780252014178Publication Date: 1987-01-01"Shipps has found a way to understand the Mormons that will truly please both believers and non-believers." New York Times Book Review"
"This may be the most brilliant book ever written on Mormonism. It is insightful, inspiring, and original and sure to become a landmark work on the subject." Richard L. Bushman, author of Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory by ISBN: 019507985XPublication Date: 1993-06-10Looking through the eyes of the televangelist, see into the heart of American evangelic ism, that we understand the genuine appeal of the movement and thereby arrive at a more accurate and balanced portrait of an abiding tradition that, as the author argues, is both rich in theological insights and mired in contradictions.
Journal Resources
- Southern SpacesA Journal about Real and Imagined Spaces and Places of the US South and their Global Connections
Documentary Resources
- Chase the Devil: Religious Music of the Appalachian Mountains. Directed by Jeremy Marre. Newton, N.J.: Shanachie Home Video, 1990. VHS.
Examine the music and exuberant preaching of prominent religions in southeastern America.
- Devil's Playground. Directed by Lucy Walker. New York, NY: Wellspring, 2003. DVD.
When Amish teens turn 16, they have the opportunity to venture out in the "Devil's Playground" and indulge in 21st-century vices such as drinking and smoking -- a period called "Rumspringa". This documentary tracks 18-year-old Faron's struggle to reconcile his drug addiction with his deeply ingrained desire to live his parents' Amish life.
- For the Bible Tells Me So. Directed by Daniel Karslake. New York, NY: First Run Features, 2008. DVD.
Explore the ways in which conservative Christian groups have used -- and sometimes exploited -- the Bible to deny human rights to gays and lesbians around the world.
- Friends of God. Directed by Alexandra Pelosi. New York, NY: HBO Video, 2007. DVD.
Interviewing both leaders and rank-and-file believers and attending events such as a Christian wrestling match, filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi reveals a vibrant subculture of evangelical Christians whose convictions may surprise and possibly bewilder you.
- Hell House. Directed by George Ratliff. Brooklyn, NY: Plexifilm, 2003. DVD.
Go behind the scenes of the Hell House, a multimedia fire-and-brimstone performance designed to give its audiences a glimpse of what awaits those who stray from the path of a strict Christian life.
- Jesus Camp. Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. Los Angeles, CA: Mangolia Home Entertainment, 2007. DVD.
This Oscar-nominated documentary offers an unfiltered look at a revivalist subculture in which devout Christian youngsters are being primed to deliver the fundamentalist community's religious and political messages.
- Knocking. Directed by Joel Engardio and Tom Shepard. Harriman, NY: New Day Films, 2006. DVD.
There are seven million Jehovah's Witnesses in 230 countries worldwide. Despite their 130-plus-year history, this Christian group is still often derided and misunderstood. Knocking reveals how they have impacted society in key ways other than the spreading of their faith.
- Let the Church Say Amen. Directed by David J. Petersen. Prince Frederick, MD: RB Pub, 2006. DVD.
This documentary follows members of the World Missions for Christ Church in Washington D.C. as they work to fulfill their dreams of a better life. Standing at the helm of his tiny storefront black church is the unflappable Pastor Bobby Perkins, who has his missionary work cut out in a setting that's teeming with drugs, violence and homelessness.
- Rejoice and Shout. Directed by Don McGlynn. New York, NY: Magnolia Home Entertainment, 2011. DVD.
This film covers 200 years of African-American Christian music, using performance footage, audio, photos and interviews to document the history and power of gospel music.
- Soldiers in the Army of God. Directed by Marc Levin and Daphne Pinkerson. New York, NY: HBO Video, 2005. DVD.
Connected by the Internet and an unshakable belief in their cause, a tight-knit group of extreme pro-life activists -- all members of the Army of God -- have turned to violence to abolish abortion. The documentary examines several soldiers involved in the ongoing "battle", including Paul Hill, who committed the 1993 murders of two abortion clinic workers in Florida.
- Waiting for Armageddon. Directed by Kate Davis, David Heilbroner and Franco Sacchi. New York, NY: First Run Features, 2009. DVD.
This film explores the lives of evangelical Christians who believe that Armageddon is imminent and that Israel will be the site of Christ's second coming. It follows evangelicals' preparations for the apocalypse and examines how their beliefs have influenced the U.S. government's relationships with Israel and the Muslim world.
- Welcome to Amish America. Directed by John Swanson. Princeton, IL: J.E.S. Video Productions, 2008. DVD.
This PBS documentary takes you into Amish communities and dwellings and offers up fascinating re-creations of historic Amish homes. Interviews with community members shed light on their protected culture and religion and underscore the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle.
- Witnesses of Jehovah. Directed by Leonard Chretien. La Jolla, CA: Good News Defenders. 1988. VHS.
Leonard and Marjorie Chretien were loyal Jehovah's Witnesses for decades, and in 1975, they waited expectantly for the end of the world. When Armageddon didn't come, they questioned the Watchtower Society leadership.
- Witnesses of JehovahLeonard and Marjorie Chretien were loyal Jehovah's Witnesses for decades, and in 1975, they waited expectantly for the end of the world. When Armageddon didn't come, they questioned the Watchtower Society leadership.