ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses smaller religious movements that are divided into three groups: first, Judaism and Islam, both of which present major alternatives to Christianity in American public life; second, those religious traditions that maintain a clear separation from mainstream politics and culture; and third, those nonseparatist traditions that have reached beyond their own walls to engage the broader culture. It argues that distinctive religious beliefs and behaviors combine with a host of other factors—such as geography and relative size—to explain differences in how smaller religious groups approach public life. Judaism and Islam, both in terms of their size and public exposure, are the most prominent non-Christian religious traditions in America. Jews have lived in the United States since before the founding of the nation and many have carved out a highly successful niche in American society. Islam, by contrast, is a relative newcomer and is struggling to address unique political and social challenges.
