SOCI 326 1st Edition Lecture 15Belief Declines in beliefs in the Bible's literal Truth Rise of "Diffuse Spirituality" What explains the decline in belief regarding inerrancy of Bible Generational effect Younger generations are less likely to believe in Bible's inerrancy Those born before 1910 close to half believed in the Bible's inerrancy Leveled off since the 1940 decline Educational expansion Secularization "Declining confidence in the status of one's own religion." What is the difference between being spiritual and being religious? Not mutually exclusive Spirituality Personal or experiential terms Religiousness Personal/experiential + participation in formal practices or ritualsInvolvement Chaves: American religious involvement has "softened" What does he mean involvement has softened? Being religion doesn't require as much Church Attendance Over reporting‐ Increase in "never attended church" Children: less likely to attend church weekly Participation beyond attendance in decline Will this trend of "softening" reverse itself? Chaves: No Decline of two parent families‐ Traditional families, with both parents present, twice as likely to attend a religious service once weeklyCongregations Rise of large congregations Top 1% of churches: 15% of people and resources Adoption of Technology Informal worship Older congregants More higher status (income and education) congregantsThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Non denominational churches Megachurches‐ What is a megachurch Having more than 2,000 weekly attendees Megachurches are among the most diverse churches in the US Race and class diversity 31% of megachurches have minority population greater than 20%Small groups (93%) Conclusion Changing nature of belief Inerrancy of the bible Diffuse spirituality Involvement Softening Congregations
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