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 failIn 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.
#1270004 in Books Westview Press 1997-10-09Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .73 x 7.40 x 9.20l; #File Name: 0813334071292 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Andrew HudsonA great book on a great historical figure in Chinese buddhism.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Worthwhile but IncompleteBy Michael KiemBy all means read this book if you are interested in the history of the Silk Road.However there is a significant omission in this book. Xuanzang embarked on this epic journey because he wanted to learn Buddhism from the original source. But if you think you'll be able to learn much about 7th century Buddhism from this book; think again. Of course there are tid-bits and small blurbs about Buddhist ideas but it is more an expedient to advance the story rather than an effort to explain. This book is basically a travelogue; not a book of ideas.Of course researching the various schools and thoughts of 7th century Buddhism would have been difficult and explaining it to the layperson without being confusing or boring would have also been difficult. But still I feel that writing a book on Xuanzang without attempting to explain the Buddhism of that era is incomplete.Despite the above reservation; I still give it 4 stars because the rest of the book is quite well done.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Mel ShelIt worked well enough for my paper.
