Religion and the American West: belief, violence, and resilience from 1800 to today

Abstract

Religion and the American West offers a lavishly illustrated and comprehensive overview of the ways religion has shaped the idea of the American West and how the region has influenced broader religious and racial categories. Starting when the concept of the "American West" emerged in the early nineteenth century and continuing through modern times, Religion and the American West explores the interplay between a wide range of American belief systems, from established world religions to new spiritual innovations. A stunning selection of material and print culture illustrates the varied range of religious expressions across the history of the American West. Taken as a whole, the contributors challenge longstanding definitions of the American West and provide a new narrative that recenters our attention on the lived experiences of diverse peoples and communities. The book also serves as the companion publication for the New-York Historical Society's traveling exhibition "Acts of Faith." Religion and the American West is a story of vibrant innovation and tragic conflict, showcasing how historical actors and modern-day readers wrestle with the meaning of religious belief in the American West.

Contents

Foreword / John Vanausdall -- Introduction / Jessica Lauren Nelson -- Chapter One. Sacred spaces : religion, land, and identity in the Trans-Appalachian West (1800-1840) / Jessica Lauren Nelson -- Chapter Two. Religion and empire : mythic trails, stolen homelands, and forced migration in the antebellum West (1840-1860) / Danae Jacobson -- Chapter Three. Frontier violence : making Americans and the myth of the West (1860-1890) / Konden Smith Hansen -- Chapter Four. Religion here and now / Daisy Vargas -- Conclusion. A Visual epigraph / Jessica Lauren Nelson -- Bibliography -- Contributors.