Rodney Stark and the Sociology of American Religious History.
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| Title: | Rodney Stark and the Sociology of American Religious History. |
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| Authors: | Hackett, David G. |
| Source: | Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (Wiley-Blackwell). Sep90, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p372. 5p. |
| Subjects: | Religion, Stark, Rodney, 1934-, Sociologists, Catholic Church, Christian sects, Surveys |
| Abstract: | The article presents information on the sociology of American religious history and sociologist Rodney Stark. Beginning around 1985 and continuing to the present day, Stark has embarked on an empirical testing of one portion of his general theory, the concept of "religious economies," with historical data on religious participation that he and sociologist Roger Finite created from relatively neglected surveys and census lists. These new data represent what surely will be seen in the years ahead as an enduring contribution to the field of American religious history. In this pathbreaking work, Stark and Finke succeeded in creating remarkably accurate measurements of religious participation for all the major American religious bodies from 1776 through the present day. This information now makes it possible to study the relative membership and regional strengths of the major Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church during more than 200 years of American history. In the context of Stark's general theory, moreover, these new historical data have provided an opportunity to test the explanatory value of his concept of "religious economies." In these brief remarks the author want to discuss first the central importance of the Stark and Finite data to efforts at understanding American religious history and then turn to their interpretation of these new data. |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The article presents information on the sociology of American religious history and sociologist Rodney Stark. Beginning around 1985 and continuing to the present day, Stark has embarked on an empirical testing of one portion of his general theory, the concept of "religious economies," with historical data on religious participation that he and sociologist Roger Finite created from relatively neglected surveys and census lists. These new data represent what surely will be seen in the years ahead as an enduring contribution to the field of American religious history. In this pathbreaking work, Stark and Finke succeeded in creating remarkably accurate measurements of religious participation for all the major American religious bodies from 1776 through the present day. This information now makes it possible to study the relative membership and regional strengths of the major Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church during more than 200 years of American history. In the context of Stark's general theory, moreover, these new historical data have provided an opportunity to test the explanatory value of his concept of "religious economies." In these brief remarks the author want to discuss first the central importance of the Stark and Finite data to efforts at understanding American religious history and then turn to their interpretation of these new data. |
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| ISSN: | 00218294 |
| DOI: | 10.2307/1386467 |
