At the heart of American studies is the idea of America itself. Here, Buck looks at the religious significance of America by examining those religions that have attached some kind of spiritual meaning to America. The author explores how American Protestantism-and nine minority faiths-have projected America into the mainstream of world history by defining-and by redefining-America's world role. Surveying the religious myths and visions of America of ten religions, Buck shows how minority faiths have redefined America's sense of national purpose. This book invites serious reflection on what it means to be an American, particularly from a religious perspective.

Religious myths of America are thought-orienting narratives that serve as vehicles of spiritual and social truths about the United States itself. Religious visions of America are action-oriented agendas that articulate the goals to which America should aspire and the role it should play in the community of nations. Buck examines the distinctive perspectives held by ten religious traditions that inform and expand on the notion of America, and its place in the world. He covers Native American, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Christian Identity, Black Muslim, Islamic, Buddhist, and Baha'i beliefs and invites serious reflection on what it means to be an American, particularly from a religious perspective.

We are in a phase of the evolution of biotechnology in which the true and potential commercial importance of carbohydrates is becoming appre- ated more fully. Progress in providing hard facts to establish the commercial value ofpolysaccharides and oligosaccharides is limited, as always, by lack of funding and by a relative shortage of skilled practitioners in the production and analysis of those materials. Carbohydrate science has a reputation, not unmerited, for technical difficulty owing to the structural similarity of the many monosaccharide monomers and the potential, and real, complexity of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, particularly heterosaccharides conta- ing many different monomers. Modem analytical and synthetic methods, in many cases using enzyme technology, are beginning to allow this complexity to be unraveled. Carbohydrate Biotechnology Protocols is aimed at those newcomers who have an interest in the production and use of carbohydrate materials, but have shied away from involvement for lack of detailed descriptions of appropriate methods, including the type of practical hints that may be provided by those skilled in those methods, but that are rarely described in research papers. The majority of the contributions to this book conform to the established format of the Methods in Biotechnology series. They begin with the theoretical and c- mercial background to the method or group of methods, provide a list of the reagents and equipment required for the procedure, then give a detailed st- by-step description of how to carry out the protocol.

Baha'i Faith: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to a fascinating, independent world religion. Examining its historical development, current "community-building" efforts and the social contributions of the Baha'i Faith in the world today, this introduction covers: * Beliefs: Baha'i spiritual teachings. * Principles: Baha'i social teachings. * History: Baha'u'llah and his covenant. * Scripture: Baha'i sacred texts and inspired guidance. * Institutions: The Baha'i Administrative Order. * Building community: What Baha'is do. * Social action: Baha'i social and economic development projects. * Public discourse: The Baha'i International Community. * Vision: Foundations for a future golden age. With features including a glossary of terms, and references to the Baha'i writings throughout, this is the ideal text for students and interested readers wanting to familiarize themselves with the Baha'i Faith.

Bahá’í Faith: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to a fascinating, independent world religion. Examining its historical development, current “community-building” efforts and the social contributions of the Bahá’í Faith in the world today, this introduction covers:

Beliefs: Bahá’í spiritual teachings

Principles: Bahá’í social teachings

History: Bahá’u’lláh and his covenant.

Scripture: Bahá’í sacred texts and inspired guidance

Institutions: The Bahá’í Administrative Order

Building community: What Bahá’ís do

Social action: Bahá’í social and economic development projects

Public discourse: The Bahá’í International Community

Vision: Foundations for a future golden age

With features including a glossary of terms, and references to the Bahá’í writings throughout, this is the ideal text for students and interested readers wanting to familiarize themselves with the Bahá’í Faith.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: What is the Bahá’í Faith?

2. Beliefs: Bahá’í Spiritual Teachings

3. Principles: Bahá’í Social Teachings

4. History: Bahá’u’lláh and His Covenant

5. Scripture and Authoritative Writings: Bahá’í Sacred Texts and Inspired Guidance

6. Institutions: The Bahá’í Administrative Order

7. Building Community: What Bahá’ís Do

8. Social Action: Social and Economic Development

9. Public Discourse: The Bahá’í International Community

10. Vision: Foundations for a Future Golden Age

We are in a phase of the evolution of biotechnology in which the true and potential commercial importance of carbohydrates is becoming appre- ated more fully. Progress in providing hard facts to establish the commercial value ofpolysaccharides and oligosaccharides is limited, as always, by lack of funding and by a relative shortage of skilled practitioners in the production and analysis of those materials. Carbohydrate science has a reputation, not unmerited, for technical difficulty owing to the structural similarity of the many monosaccharide monomers and the potential, and real, complexity of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, particularly heterosaccharides conta- ing many different monomers. Modem analytical and synthetic methods, in many cases using enzyme technology, are beginning to allow this complexity to be unraveled. Carbohydrate Biotechnology Protocols is aimed at those newcomers who have an interest in the production and use of carbohydrate materials, but have shied away from involvement for lack of detailed descriptions of appropriate methods, including the type of practical hints that may be provided by those skilled in those methods, but that are rarely described in research papers. The majority of the contributions to this book conform to the established format of the Methods in Biotechnology series. They begin with the theoretical and c- mercial background to the method or group of methods, provide a list of the reagents and equipment required for the procedure, then give a detailed st- by-step description of how to carry out the protocol.

This book examines the intersection of African American history with that of the Baha'i Faith in the United States. Since the turn of the twentieth century, Baha'is in America have actively worked to establish interracial harmony within its own ranks and to contribute to social justice in the wider community, becoming in the process one of the country's most diverse religious bodies. Spanning from the start of the twentieth century to the early twenty-first, the essays in this volume examine aspects of the phenomenon of this religion confronting America's original sin of racism and the significant roles African Americans came to play in the development of the Baha'i Faith's culture, identity, administrative structures, and aspirations.