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National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
Email: news@ncccusa.org  Web: www.ncccusa.org

Direct Questions/Interview Requests to: NCC News, 212-870-
2227

12NCC2/14/2000      EMBARGOED FOR "A.M.'s" FEBRUARY 18, 2000

YEARBOOK OF AMERICAN AND CANADIAN CHURCHES 2000
AMERICA'S GROWING RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IS THEME

 February 18, 2000, NEW YORK CITY - America's growing 
religious pluralism is the theme of the Year 2000 Yearbook 
of American and Canadian Churches, prepared by the National 
Council of Churches.  

 "At the close of what has broadly been known as the 
`Christian Century,' we felt it was important for the 
Yearbook to step back and look at the broader religious 
landscape of the United States," said the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. 
Lindner, Editor.  "In doing so, our growing religious 
pluralism came boldly into focus."

 As always throughout its 68-year history, the Year 2000 
Yearbook is brimming with statistical data and 
organizational contacts invaluable to those who wish to 
explore Christian institutional life.  "But a serious gap 
appeared in relation to other faith groups in America," Dr. 
Lindner noted.  "In service to our readers we sought to fill 
that gap in ways that are sensitive to the faith traditions 
and organizational realities of others." 

Thus, while the churches of America remain the focus, 
the Yearbook's value as a source for both research on and 
engagement with a diversity of faith communities has been 
enhanced greatly with inclusion of:

  A directory of eight "non-Christian" faith traditions in 
America (Baha'ism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, 
Judaism, Native American Traditional Spirituality, 
Sikhism).  A Yearbook "first," the directory includes a 
brief history and description of each along with contacts 
within each religious community.
  A theme article, "Religious Pluralism: America in the 
Year 2000," by Dr. Diana L. Eck, Professor of Comparative 
Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University.
  Inclusion in the Yearbook's "Index of Select Programs for 
U.S. Regional and Local Ecumenical Bodies" a list of 
agencies that programmatically address issues of 
interfaith relations. Comments Dr. Lindner, "The evidence 
of the persistence of religious pluralism can be measured 
in part by the increasing numbers of ecumenical agencies 
that are engaged in active programs of interfaith 
dialogue and relationships."
  Infusion of other interfaith contacts, to be found in 
"National U.S. and Canadian Cooperative Organizations," 
"The Emerging Electronic Church," "Sources of Religion-
Related Research" and "U.S. and Canadian Regional and 
Local Ecumenical Bodies."
  Maps of Islamic mosques and centers and of Buddhist 
temples and churches in the United States, drawn from the 
forthcoming The New Historical Atlas of Religion in 
America (Oxford University Press).  By Edwin Scott 
Gaustad and Philip L. Barlow, the atlas graphically 
illustrates America's growing religious pluralism.
  In addition, the "Year 2000-2003 Calendar" includes holy 
days of several faiths.

 "As acknowledged diversity yields to the impulses of 
relationship and dialogue," Dr. Lindner said, "we hope that 
the material gathered in this millennial edition of the 
Yearbook will serve as a timely and useful guide through the 
unfamiliar and sometimes confusing terrain of religious 
pluralism."

 The Year 2000 Yearbook of American and Canadian 
Churches may be ordered by e-mail (yearbook@ncccusa.org); 
phone (888-870-3325); fax (212-870-2817); or mail (Yearbook 
Orders, National Council of Churches, Room 880, 475 
Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115).  Cost is $40 including 
shipping.

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