Synopses & Reviews
In this provocative book, Roger Finke and Rodney Stark challenge popular perceptions about American religion. They view the religious environment as a free market economy, where churches compete for souls. The story they tell is one of gains for upstart sects and losses for mainline denominations.
Although many Americans assume that religious participation has declined in America, Finke and Stark present a different picture. In 1776, fewer than 1 in 5 Americans were active in church affairs. Today, church membership includes about 6 out of 10 people.
But, as Finke and Stark show, not all denominations benefited. They explain how and why the early nineteenth-century churches began their descent, while two newcomer sects, the Baptists and the Methodists, gained ground. They also analyze why the Methodists then began a long, downward slide, why the Baptists continued to succeed, how the Catholic Church met the competition of ardent Protestant missionaries, and why the Catholic commitment has declined since Vatican II. The authors also explain why ecumenical movements always fail
In short, Americans are not abandoning religion; they have been moving away from established denominations. A "church-sect process" is always under way, Finke and Stark argue, as successful churches lose their organizational vigor and are replaced by less worldly groups.
Some observers assert that the rise in churching rates indicates increased participation, not increased belief. Finke and Stark challenge this as well. They find that those groups that have gained the greatest numbers have demanded that their followers accept traditional doctrines and otherworldliness. They argue that religious organizations can thrive only when they comfort souls and demand sacrifice. When theology becomes too logical, or too secular, it loses people.
Synopsis
Winner, "The Distinguished Book Award," Society for the Scientific Study of Religion "If Roger Finke and Rodney Stark are right, the current understanding of American religious history ought to be turned upside down . . . a pugnacious book." --Peter Steinfels, The New York Times "A major reevaluation of American religious history . . . essential reading." --Kirkus Reviews "This unique book revises some traditional interpretations and should appeal to both interested laypersons and scholars. Recommended." --Library Journal "A brilliant and revolutionary analysis of the social history of American religion, one which will become required reading. . . . The conclusion--that organized religion has been enormously successful in American society . . . challenges all conventional wisdom. . . . When Stark and Finke are finished there are a lot of dearly held theories and prejudices that have been reduced to rubble." --Andrew M. Greeley, The University of Chicago "Will make a tremendous impact. . . . The authors convincingly challenge the biggest names in the field and show how an 'establishment' bias has blinded them to the real underlying pluralist trends among Christian denominations." --Robert Swierenga, Kent State University "Compels a serious rewriting of the history of religion in America . . . a tour de force." --Jeffrey K. Hadden, University of Virginia Roger Finke is a professor of sociology and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University. Robert Stark is professor of sociology and comparative religion at the University of Washington.
Synopsis
.
Table of Contents
A new approach to American religious history -- The Colonial era revisited -- The upstart sects win America, 1778-1850 -- The coming of the Catholics, 1850-1926 -- Methodists transformed, Baptists triumphant -- Why unification efforts fail -- Why "mainline" denominations decline.