Synopses & Reviews
As the first study of religion in twentieth-century New Mexico, these essays examine the importance that religious practices and beliefs have had on the state's cultural landscape. Whatever their faith -- Roman Catholic, Protestant (including evangelicals), Mormon, Jewish, Native American, New Age, or other spiritual alternatives -- New Mexicans have put their beliefs into practice through such everyday events as public schooling, social services, community development, commerce, and the arts.
The religious experiences of modern New Mexico are diverse: they range from Penitente ceremonies to "televangelists", from oriental mysticism to crystal shops, and from sacred mountains to a mega-church that seats 7,000. Taken together, these essays form an interfaith conversation about how the different religious traditions have confronted modernity and materialism. The activities of religious groups in New Mexico are also compared to national trends in such basic matters as church growth, concern for social justice, and teaching personal morality.
Synopsis
By examining diverse religious experiences, the essays address faith and modern life in New Mexico.