While a large percentage of Americans claim religious identity, the

number of Americans attending traditional worship services has significantly

declined in recent decades. Where, then, are Americans finding meaning in their

lives, if not in the context of traditional religion? In this provocative study, the

authors argue that the objects of our attention have become our god and fulfilling

our desires has become our religion. They examine the religious dimensions of six

specific aspects of American culturebody and sex, big business,

entertainment, politics, sports, and science and technologythat function

as aEUROoealtarsaEURO where Americans gather to worship and produce meaning for their

lives. The Altars Where We Worship shows how these secular altars

provide resources for understanding the self, others, and the world itself. aEUROoeFor

better or worse,aEURO the authors write, aEUROoewe are faced with the reality that human

experiences before these altars contain religious characteristics in common with

experiences before more traditional altars.aEURO Readers will come away with a clearer

understanding of what religion is after exploring the thoroughly religious aspects

of popular culture in the United States.