Synopses & Reviews
This book examines specific ways in which cultural changes affected the structure of the religious establishment.
Review
"...a fascinating work of historical sociology." Church History
Synopsis
Floods of immigration and rapid industrialization and urbanization in America at the turn of the century set in motion the transformation of many long-established institutions. This book examines specific ways in which cultural changes affected the structure of the religious establishment. Statistical models are applied to United States Census data from 1890 and 1906 on city and church populations, revealing connections between the growth of cities, the increase in literacy, and the formation of ethnic subcommunities that led to a new level of religious diversity.
Table of Contents
List of tables and figures; Preface; 1. âAs slavery never didâ: American religion and the rise of the city; 2. âNumbering Israelâ: United States Census data on religion; 3. âAn infinite variety of religionsâ: the meaning and measurement of religious diversity; 4. âA motley of peoples and culturesâ: urban populations and religious diversity; 5. âA new societyâ: industrialization and religious diversity sociological approaches to industrialization and religious diversity; 6. âNo fast friend to policy or religionâ: literacy and religious diversity; 7. âGodâs Bible at the Devilâs girdleâ: religious diversity and urban secularization; 8. âIf the religion of Rome becomes oursâ: religious diversity, subcultural conflict, and denominational realignment; 9. âMatters merely indifferentâ: religious diversity and American denominationalismâAppendixes; Notes; References; Index.