Religions 

Early in their history, Americans rejected the concept of the established or government-favored religion that had dominated -- and divided -- so many European countries. Separation of church and state was ordained by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provides in part that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...."

One of the first permanent settlements in what became the North American colonies was founded by English Puritans, Calvinists who had been outsiders in their homeland, where the Church of England was established. So Protestants were the dominant religion in the early days. Today America is one of the most diverse religious societies in the world.

In 1990 Protestants of all denominations numbered 140 million; Catholics, 62 million; and Jews, 5 million. The Islamic faith also has 5 million U.S. adherents, many of whom are African-American converts. It is estimated that the number of mosques in the United States -- today, about 1,200 -- has doubled in the last 15 years. Buddhism and Hinduism are growing with the arrival of immigrants from countries where these are the majority religions.

America has also been a fertile ground for new religions. The Mormon and Christian Science Churches are perhaps the best-known of the faiths that have sprung up on American soil. Because of its tradition of noninterference in religious matters, the United States has also provided a comfortable home for many small sects from overseas. The Amish, for example, descendants of German immigrants who reside mostly in Pennsylvania and neighboring states, have lived simple lives, wearing plain clothes and shunning modern technology, for generations. Some small groups are considered to be religious cults because they profess extremist beliefs and tend to glorify a founding figure. As long as cults and their members abide by the law, they are generally left alone. Religious prejudice is rare in America, and interfaith meetings and cooperation are commonplace.

Abridged from US State Department publications and other US government materials.

Background
• American Religious Experience (West Virginia University)
• Faith Communities in the U.S. Today (Hartford Institute for Religion Research)
• From Many, One: The Religious Origins of American Identity (Northwestern University)
• The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
• The Pluralism Project (Harvard University)
• Public Opinion on Religion (Roper Center)
• Religion. Special Report (Washington Post) [free registration required]
• Religion and Public Schools (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• Religion in America (Life in the United States. Elliot Essman) New
• Religion in the U.S. (MSN Encarta Encyclopedia Online)
• Religious Freedom Page (Jeffrey K. Hadden, University of Virginia Library)
• Religious Movements Page (University of Virginia)

• Address of Senator John F. Kennedy to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association on Religious Faith, September 1960
• George W. Bush: Religious Freedom Day Proclamation, January 11, 2007
• Religious Liberty Archive (state and federal laws pertaining to religious freedom in the U.S.)
• Thomas Jefferson on Religious Liberty: A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia, 1786
• U.S. Constitution. First Amendment (FindLaw)
• Witchcraft in Salem Village (Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia)

Statistics
• American Religion Data Archive
• American Religious Identification Survey (CUNY, Graduate Center)
• Info Please Almanac: Religion
• Religion Statistics (Adherents.com)

Exhibits - Digital Images
• From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America (Library of Congress) New
• Muslim Life in America (U.S. Dept. of State, IIP)
• National Museum of American Jewish History
• Religion and the Founding of the American Republic (Library of Congress)

For High School Students
• KidsClick: Religion & Mythology
• Religion (World Almanac for Kids Online)
• Understanding Islam (Learners Online)

Teacher Resources
• An Approach to Teaching Religious Tolerance. Lesson Plan. The Educator's Reference Desk
• Course Syllabi on Religion (American Academy of Religion)
• Divining America: Religion and National Culture (TeacherServe. National Humanities Center)
• Religion in the South. Syllabus. (Dr. Matthews, Wake Forest University)
• Religious Convictions. Exploring Current Debates Involving the Separation of Church and State. Lesson Plan. (New York Times Learning Network)
• Religious Life in the United States. Syllabus. (Dr. Matthews, Wake Forrest University)
• Syllabi in American Religious History
• Teaching with Historic Places: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: A Moravian Settlement in Colonial America (National Park Service)
• Teaching with Historic Places : San Antonio Missions (National Park Service)
• Teacher's Guide to Religion in Public Schools (Freedom Forum)

Link Lists
• American Religion Links (West Virginia University)
• Online Resources for the Study of Religion (Center for the Study of Religion. Princeton University)
• Religion & Philosophy Topics (Librarian's Index to the Internet)
• Religion Gateway (AcademicInfo)
• Religion in American in the 21st Century (21st Century. Jean M. Fairclough)
• Religious Liberty (American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Virtual Religion Index. (Rutgers University)
• Yahoo! Religion and Spirituality: Faith and Practices 

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