Encyclopedia of American Women and Religion - 9781440839863

This two-volume set examines women's contributions to religious and moral development in America, covering individual women, their faith-related organizations, and women's roles and experiences in the broader social and cultural contexts of their times. This second edition of Encyclopedia of American Women and Religion provides updated and expanded information from historians and other scholars of religion, covering new issues in religion to better describe and document women's roles within religious groups. For instance, the term evangelical feminism is one newly defined aspect of women's involvement in religious activism. Changes are constantly occurring within the many religious faiths and denominations in America, particularly as women strive to gain positions within religious hierarchies that previously were exclusive to men and rise within their denominations to become theologians, church leaders, and bishops. The entries examine the roles that American women have played in mainstream religious denominations, small religious sects, and non-traditional practices such as witchcraft, as well as in groups that question religious beliefs, including agnostics and atheists. A section containing primary documents gives readers a firsthand look at matters of concern to religious women and their organizations. Many of these documents are the writings of women who merit entries within the encyclopedia. Readers will gain an awareness of women's contributions to religious culture in America, from the colonial era to the present day, and better understand the many challenges that women have faced to achieve success in their religion-related endeavors. Introduces readers to hundreds of women who became leaders within various religious faiths and denominations, including many who founded religious sects and organizations Provides an understanding of women's developing roles in American religious culture, which continue to the present day Enables readers to gain an understanding of the broad range of religions, approaches to religion, and attitudes toward religion in the United States Documents how life's experiences can shape one's spiritual life and future development Includes a timeline of the issues facing women that marks changing societal attitudes and individual women's accomplishments across history