The Caribbean is a microcosm of the world's religions. In this very small geographic space one encounters global religions as well as indigenous religious practices--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Santería, Vodou, and much more. Due to this diversity, introducing and describing the Caribbean religious context is difficult. The racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of this region make brief introductions to Caribbean religions incapable of truly addressing its complex and diverse religious landscape. Too often Caribbean religion is studied through the lens of one discrete religious tradition or geographic setting.

The Oxford Handbook of Caribbean Religions offers a comprehensive overview of Caribbean religions, one that respects the diversity of the religious traditions and the national particularity of the region. Focusing on multiple geographic settings, this volume addresses the prominent religious traditions in the Caribbean by examining a cross-section of themes that impact the region and the academic study of Caribbean religion.

Opening with an overview of the multiple religions extant in the region, including some of the historical traditions that inform the contemporary context, the first section provides an overview of the history and beliefs found in the Caribbean. The second section discusses geographic-centered studies of numerous Caribbean nations. Finally, the third section brings numerous religious traditions in dialogue through thematic chapters that touch on the way religion has impacted the Caribbean beyond a traditional institutional focus.

Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Scranton. She received her Ph.D. in Systematic and Philosophical Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Her research and teaching interests include Latino/a, Latin American, and Feminist Theologies, as well as inter-disciplinary work in Afro-Caribbean Studies. She is the author of eight books including Afro-Cuban Theology: Religion, Race, Culture and Identity (2006) and A Critical Introduction to Religion in the Americas: Bridging the Liberation Theology and Religious Studies Divide (2014).

Introduction
Michelle A. Gonzalez

Part I. Overview of Religious Traditions

1.Taíno Religion
Anthony Stevens-Arroyo
2. Roman Catholicism
Michelle A. Gonzalez
3. Protestant Colonial Christianity
Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi
4. Protestant Modern Christianity
Gaston Espinosa
5. Haitian Vodou
Terry Rey
6. Santería
Claudia Rauhut
7. Abakúa
Ivor Miller
8. Palo, Las Reglas de Congo, Kongo Rule
Todd Ramón Ochoa
9. The Rastafari
Leslie G. Desmangles
10. Hinduism
Freek L. Bakker
11. Judaism
Leslie M. Desmangles
12. Islam
Halima Sa'adia Kassim, Perry Polar
13. Revival Zion and Spiritual Baptists
Carol B. Duncan
14. Orisha Religion
James Houk
15. Espiritismo
Reinaldo Román


Part II. Caribbean Religions Throughout the Americas

16, Cuba
Michelle A. Gonzalez
17. Haiti
Terry Rey
18. Jamaica
Delroy Reid Salmon
19. Trinidad and Tobago
Maarit Forde
20. Puerto Rico
Juan F. Caraballo-Resto
21. United States
Miguel A. de la Torre


Part III. Themes

22. Divination
Laura S. Grillo
23. Gender
Solimar Otero
24. Rituals
Mary Ann Clark
25. Healing
Funlayo E. Wood-Menzies
26. Spirit Possession
Paul Johnson
27. Religion and Literature in the Colonial Spanish Caribbean
Eugenio Matibag
28. Afro Cuban Religions in Cuban Literature: Archival Oralities of Culture
Alex Presas
29. Caribbean Religious Art
Kristine Juncker
30. Making Caribbean Religious Musiks
Stephen Glazier
31. Material Religion
Martin A. Tsang
32. Popular Culture and Caribbean Religions
Edwin Davud Aponte
33. The Lukumí in Cyberspace
Jeffrey M. Gonzalez
34. Food
Elizabeth Pérez
35. Belief and the Cult of San Lázaro
Elaine Penagos

Index