American Non-Christian Churches

This course explores the history and significance of how American law and culture have defined “religion” and “church.” A common legal term in American jurisprudence for any religious organization is “church,” which demonstrates the Christian-centric biases in legal definition and administration. This course will analyze the significance of this legal definition by studying various non-Christian churches in America, representing a variety of non-Christian traditions. This course will explore different historic religious traditions (e.g. Buddhist Churches of America, Native American Church, etc.), new religious movements (e.g. Church of Scientology, Church of Satan, Church of Wicca, etc.), and satirical religions (e.g. Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Neo-American Church, etc.). Students will be challenged to consider how state and society define, legislate, and regulate religious minorities in America, as well as minority strategies of religious assimilation, negotiation, and contestation. Students will consider the cultural and legal positioning of various religious organizations in how they present themselves in their institutional legal documentation, religious texts, and social presence. Additionally, students will consider the legal limits of religious legitimatization and liberty by studying significant legal cases that define proper, authentic, and/or sincere religiosity.