Making the American Religious Fringe

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The book delves into the portrayal of religion in major American magazines post-World War II, highlighting how they categorized faiths as either "mainstream" or "fringe." McCloud combines religious history and social theory to reveal that these publications, influenced by a white, middle-class, and religiously liberal perspective, presented a biased view of spirituality. This analysis critiques the notion of objective journalism, suggesting it often served as a spiritual justification for the prevailing social norms of the time.