Churches and Charity in the Immigrant City: Religion, Immigration, and Civic Engagement in Miami

In addition to being a religious countryuover ninety percent of Americans believe in God--the United States is also home to more immigrants than ever before. Churches and Charity in the Immigrant City focuses on the intersection of religion and civic engagement among Miami's immigrant and minority groups. The contributors examine the role of religious organizations in developing social relationships and how these relationships affect the broader civic world. Essays, for example, consider the role of leadership in the promotion and creation of "civic social capital" in a Haitian Catholic church, transnational ties between Cuban Catholics in Miami and Havana, and several African American congregations that serve as key comparisons of civic engagement among minorities.

This book is important not only for its theoretical contributions to the sociology of religion, but also because it gives us a unique glimpse into immigrants' civic and religious lives in urban America.

ALEX STEPICK is A professor of anthropology and sociology at Florida International University.

TERRY REY is an associate professor and chair of religion at Temple University.

SARAH J. MAHLER is an associate professor of sociology and anthropology and the director of the Center for Transnational and Comparative Studies at Florida International University.