American Religious History

Now that Pope Francis has returned to Rome after his unforgettable visit to the United States, Professor Harvey Cox has taken time to reflect on what it was that made him uncomfortable about it.

During his visit to the U.S., in addition to making history as the first pope to address Congress and parading through Central Park, Pope Francis will encounter a constituency that is deeply divided and far more "Americanist" than the one that Pope Leo...

Since June, when the Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, assertions that religious freedom is " under attack" in the United States have gained prominence. Some of those fearful that...

Cody Musselman will graduate from HDS on May 28 with a master of theological studies degree. Originally from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, she has been an active member of the HDS student body during her two years at the School. In a brief Q&A, Cody talks...

C. Conrad Wright, Professor of American Church History Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School, died peacefully at home in his sleep on February 17, 2011, at the age of 94. Wright was a prominent scholar of American Unitarianism, and he had a significant...

HDS Professor Dan McKanan delivered a presentation on his latest book, Prophetic Encounters: Religion and the American Radical Tradition, on March 5. Discussants of the book were Timothy McCarthy, Adjunct Lecturer on Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy...

Renowned scholar of North American religious history Catherine Brekus has been named the Charles Warren Professor of the History of Religion in America at Harvard Divinity School, effective July 1, 2014. Brekus is currently Professor in Religions in...

Bitter budget fights. Political battles over same-sex marriage. Religious radio-show and television hosts demonizing opponents. Heated debates on gun control in the face of massacres. Why are Americans so polarized on so many issues, and what can be done...

Renowned scholar of American religious history David F. Holland has been named Associate Professor of North American Religious History at Harvard Divinity School, effective July 1, 2013. Holland is currently Associate Professor in the Department of...

HDS Dean David N. Hempton launched the Campaign for Harvard Divinity School on April 4, 2014, with an address that laid out a bold vision that builds on the School's tradition of religious education, service, and scholarly excellence. What follows is the...