Recent immigration is changing American religion. No longer only a Protestant, Christian, or even Judeo-Christian nation, the United States is increasingly home to religious traditions from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The history, spirit, and institutions of Protestantism often shape the beliefs and practices of new immigrants and their societies of faith. But immigrants are also creating their own unique religious communities within existing denominations or developing hybrid identities that combine strands of several faiths or traditions. These changes call for new thinking among both scholars of religion and scholars of migration. Immigrant Faiths responds to these changes with fresh thinking from new and established scholars from a variety of disciplines. Covering groups from across the U.S. and a range of religious traditions, Immigrant Faiths provides a needed overview to this expanding subfield. Sponsored by the Social Science Research Council.

Recent immigration is changing American religion. No longer only a Protestant, Christian, or even Judeo-Christian nation, the United States is increasingly home to religious traditions from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The history, spirit, and institutions of Protestantism often shape the beliefs and practices of new immigrants and their societies of faith. But immigrants are also creating their own unique religious communities within existing denominations or developing hybrid identities that combine strands of several faiths or traditions. These changes call for new thinking among both scholars of religion and scholars of migration. Immigrant Faiths responds to these changes with fresh thinking from new and established scholars from a variety of disciplines. Covering groups from across the U.S. and a range of religious traditions, Immigrant Faiths provides a needed overview to this expanding subfield. Sponsored by the Social Science Research Council.

Beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, significant numbers of Haitian immigrants began to arrive and settle in Miami. Overcoming some of the most foreboding obstacles ever to face immigrants in America, they have diversified socioeconomically. Together, they have made South Florida home to the largest population of native-born Haitians and diasporic Haitians outside of the Caribbean and one of the most significant Caribbean immigrant communities in the world. Religion has played a central role in making all of this happen. Crossing the Water and Keeping the Faith is a historical and ethnographic study of Haitian religion in immigrant communities, based on fieldwork in both Miami and Haiti, as well as extensive archival research. Where many studies of Haitian religion limit themselves to one faith, Rey and Stepick explore Catholicism, Protestantism, and Vodou in conversation with one another, suggesting that despite the differences between these practices, the three faiths ultimately create a sense of unity, fulfillment, and self-worth in Haitian communities. This meticulously researched and vibrantly written book contributes to the growing body of literature on religion among new immigrants. Terry Rey is Associate Professor of Religion at Temple University. He is the coeditor (with Alex Stepick and Sarah Mahler) of Churches and Charity in the Immigrant City: Religion, Immigration, and Civic Engagement in Miami. Alex Stepick is Professor of Sociology at Portland State University and Professor of Global and Sociocultural Studies at Florida International University. He is coauthor (with Alejandro Portes) of City on the Edge: The Transformation of Miami. In the North American Religions series

Beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, significant numbers of Haitian immigrants began to arrive and settle in Miami. Overcoming some of the most foreboding obstacles ever to face immigrants in America, they have diversified socioeconomically. Together, they have made South Florida home to the largest population of native-born Haitians and diasporic Haitians outside of the Caribbean and one of the most significant Caribbean immigrant communities in the world. Religion has played a central role in making all of this happen. Crossing the Water and Keeping the Faith is a historical and ethnographic study of Haitian religion in immigrant communities, based on fieldwork in both Miami and Haiti, as well as extensive archival research. Where many studies of Haitian religion limit themselves to one faith, Rey and Stepick explore Catholicism, Protestantism, and Vodou in conversation with one another, suggesting that despite the differences between these practices, the three faiths ultimately create a sense of unity, fulfillment, and self-worth in Haitian communities. This meticulously researched and vibrantly written book contributes to the growing body of literature on religion among new immigrants.Terry Reyis Associate Professor of Religion at Temple University. He is the coeditor (with Alex Stepick and Sarah Mahler) ofChurches and Charity in the Immigrant City: Religion, Immigration, and Civic Engagement in Miami.Alex Stepickis Professor of Sociology at Portland State University and Professor of Global and Sociocultural Studies at Florida International University. He is coauthor (with Alejandro Portes) ofCity on the Edge: The Transformation of Miami.In theNorth American Religionsseries

"This well-written and compelling story of immigrant resident relations in Miami will be read and enjoyed by lay people and scholars, and will no doubt produce stimulating discussions in classrooms throughout urban America."--Jacqueline Hagan, author of "Deciding to Be Legal: A Maya Community in Houston

"Stepick and his colleagues provide a richly-textured and highly-nuanced account of how immigrants are remaking Miami--a city that, in one generation, has been transformed by the influx of Latin American and Caribbean newcomers. Based on long-term direct observation, "This Land Is Our Land puts relations between immigrants and established residents on center stage--showing how both have changed as they encounter each other in schools, workplaces, and business and commerce. This well-written book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand how immigration is changing America."--Nancy Foner, author of "From Ellis Island to JFK: New York's Two Great Waves of Immigration

"A path-setting study that explores power, context, and diversity in the culturally heterogeneous, economically vibrant, and politically dynamic city of Miami. Unpacking the complexities of race, ethnicity, and class, this lucidly written work takes the reader on rugged journeys as immigrants of different national origins strive to become American at their own pace and on their own terms. It provides fresh insight into the long-standing American ambivalence toward immigration, making a fine contribution to the burgeoning literature on immigration and inter-racial dynamics. "--Min Zhou, co-author of "Growing Up American: How Vietnamese Children Adapt to Life in the United States

"A valuable account of ethnicrelations in Miami by social scientists who live and work there. Informative and useful material for urban sociologists and specialists on immigration."--Alejandro Portes, coauthor of "Immigrant America and Professor of Sociology and Director, Center for Migration and Development, Princeton University

"The authors reveal how the Cuban success story has transformed the character of Miami while delineating more sharply the identity of other ethnic communities." --"New York Times Book Review"
"Makes a case for the importance of political capital . . . in building ethnic solidarity."--"Contemporary Sociology"