Asian American Religions

Abstract

This chapter surveys the history of Asian American religions. The study of Asian American religions centers on the religious expressions of Asian Americans themselves. Transplanted Asian religious traditions with non-Asian adherents can be included, but the primary focus must be on Asian Americans and their religions. In this way, race, ethnicity, and Christianity (which is not traditionally considered Asian) become key sites for scholarly investigation. From this perspective, Asian American religion creates a set of issues and themes that have been overlooked until recently in historical studies of religion in the United States. This chapter presents an overview of Asian American religious history, with particular emphasis on two waves of Asian American immigration.