The Divine Supermarket: Shopping for God in America - Softcover

Malise Ruthven

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099817608 ISBN 13: 9780099817604

Publisher: VINTAGE, 1991

Synopsis

The author recounts his cross-country pilgrimage through America's religious sects and shares the insights he gained into how, what, and why Americans worship

About this title

From Library Journal:

British journalist Ruthven brings an outsider's perspective to the American religious scene. The author traveled across the country, visiting such places as the Mormons' Nauvoo, the Nazi Church of Idaho, Bakker's Heritage USA, Falwell's Liberty University, and Merton's Gethsemani Abbey. Though admittedly more interested in the exotic than the mainstream, Ruthven weaves accurate historical information with firsthand observations, interviews, and his own analysis. Interestingly, he sees religious pluralism as vital to American democracy. "In normal times the regional, social and ideological divisions that could tear the nation apart find an outlet in religion." Politics remains stable unless a religious issue like abolition, prohibition, or abortion invades the public arena. A readable book with some fresh insights. Recommended.
- C. Robert Nixon, M.L.S., Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: VINTAGE
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0099817608
• ISBN 13: 9780099817604
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 317