SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

Sociology of Religion

Religion and community seem to be two interrelated belief systems. As the reading explains, even the earliest Americans prayed to God for guidance, while strengthening their new sense of community. I felt the reading was well-written, interesting, and supported with sufficient evidence. One of the more interesting points Wuthnow made was about how Americans are becoming disillusioned with the clergy, pastors, and other church leaders they had once looked up to.

Even though this article was written eight years ago, I think that the small-group movement has progressed even further. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, I feel people reached out for spirituality, closeness, and their faith. Most people reached out to their communities as well, wanting to not feel alone in the time of crisis.

Despite that surge of God-seeking, I feel that the wave of Catholic priests who have been exposed in sexual molestation scandals has hurt organized religion as a whole. People who have been faithful for years are withdrawing from such scandalous behavior, so it is doubtful to me that many new converts would be reaching out for the tainted churches.

It is clear that organized forms of religion, or spirituality are becoming less popular as the country continues to secularize itself. More liberal viewpoints continue to saturate the media, the movies, our musical choices, our politics - tolerance is much more popular than Christian beliefs will ever be. With that in mind, the success of smaller churches is obvious - smaller churches tend to attract believers with the exact same beliefs, which causes little opposition when it comes to worship. Larger churches tend to divide over petty things, such as gossip, or a pastor hurting someone's feelings.

Because of this, it is easier to gather with similar people than it is to gather with people who are unfamiliar to you. Religion is such a private matter anyway, and to come together to openly worship takes a certain level of trust.

Wuthnow alludes to that, but doesn't thoroughly explore it, as I feel he should have. Trust is what has been dissolved between people nowadays - you can't trust your neighbors, so why would you be friends with them?

Small groups allow communities to form out of people with similar interests, as well. Some older communities in the past were made up of homeowners with similar ethnic, racial, and belief backgrounds. With the variety of occupations, as well as uneasy economic conditions, it is easier for people of varied economic and social backgrounds to live in the same neighborhoods. People feel uneasy when not around their own kind, which is a factor toward the small groups' success. Wuthnow seemingly ignored that, as well.