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Title: American Religious Diversity: 1940-2000

Citation Type: Conference Paper

Publication Year: 2002

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Abstract: We explore four components of American religious diversity in the twentieth century: (1) denominational diversity, (2) compositional diversity, (3) diversity of practice, and (4) tolerance. Denominational diversity declined as Protestant domination of the religious landscape gave way to, first, Judeo-Christian America, then, more recently, to a fuller array of religious affiliation (including 14 percent who now prefer no religion). Compositional diversity has actually decreased as the ethnic and class composition of groups has diversified. Data on practice (other than the frequency of it) is scarce, but the available evidence indicates that practice has become more standardized over time with the Christian form of a regularly scheduled service presided over by a professional clergy person who gives a speech is becoming widespread even in traditions that do not traditionally feature that form of religious practice. Finally, religious tolerance has substantially increased over time.

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Authors: Fischer, Claude S.; Hout, Michael

Conference Name: Annual meeting of the American Sociological Association

Publisher Location: Chicago, IL

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Topics: Other

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