Religion in Plain View

“Religion in Plain View is nothing short of astonishing in its geographical breadth and critical depth. Promey, one of our most distinguished historians of American visual and religious cultures, brings a rare combination of scholarly erudition and everyday observation to this timely analysis of the ways that religious belief, often coupled with commercial and political interests, manifests across the United States.” -- Wendy Bellion, University of Delaware “An engaging and important book, Religion in Plain View begins with a deceptively simple question: What do Americans see every day as they move through their towns and cities? With a deft hand, Promey takes readers with her on a memorable and striking visual journey across the United States.” -- Hillary Kaell, McGill University “In this tour de force, Promey shows how public displays of religion have, by design, shaped us to experience and accept particular constructions of ‘America, the beautiful.’ In massive gatherings and tiny bumper stickers, Promey unveils the testimonial aesthetics, material establishment, and heritage fabrication of American public display. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the politics of monuments and space.” -- Lerone Martin, Stanford University “Brimming with theoretical insights, this book reveals the stakes of contests over religious and political display. Promey locates sensory culture at the center of White Protestantism’s ‘material establishment’ and, through a groundbreaking analysis of American religion, provides readers with the tools to analyze the messages of religious ‘show and tell.’” -- Judith Weisenfeld, Princeton University