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Stephen Prothero

すてぃーぶん・ぷろせろ

Suteibun Purosero

Aliases: Stephen R. Prothero

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1960-11-13 (Cooperstown, New York)
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Religiously confused
Residence History
Cooperstown, New York → Hyannis, Massachusetts → Boston, Massachusetts

Career

Occupations
Religious studies scholar
Active Years
1982-2024
Affiliations
Boston University

Education

Yale University
American Studies
Degree: B.A.
Year of Graduation: 1982
Country: United States
summa cum laude and with distinction
Harvard University
Study of Religion
Degree: M.A.
Year of Graduation: 1986
Country: United States
Harvard University
Study of Religion
Degree: Ph.D.
Year of Graduation: 1990
Country: United States
Thesis: Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907) and the construction of "Protestant Buddhism"

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—and Doesn't

2007 Religious studies

A New York Times bestseller advocating for religious literacy in America.

Religious literacyAmerican religious history

Bibliography

  • God the Bestseller: How One Editor Transformed American Religion a Book at a Time
  • Religion Matters: An Introduction to the World's Religions
  • Why Liberals Win The Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections)
  • The American Bible: How Our Words Unite, Divide, and Define a Nation
  • God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World—and Why Their Differences Matter
  • Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—and Doesn't
  • A Nation of Religions: The Politics of Pluralism in Multireligious America
  • American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon
  • Purified by Fire: A History of Cremation in America
  • Asian Religions in America: A Documentary History
  • The White Buddhist: The Asian Odyssey of Henry Steel Olcott

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear and accessible proseEmphasis on religious differences
Recurring Motifs
Religious diversityAmerican religious illiteracy

Legacy

American scholar of religion known for advocating religious literacy, authoring multiple books on U.S. religious history and comparative religion. Emeritus Professor at Boston University.

Quotes

  • I am religiously confused.
    Source: C-SPAN interview (2010)