Rodney Stark is University Professor of Social Sciences and Co-Director of the Institute of Studies of Religion, Baylor University. This fascinating paperback reports the findings of an extensive survey of 1648 American adults aged 18 and older. The data is presented under four thematic categories:
• Congregations
• Beliefs and Practices
• Atheism and Irreligion
• The Public Square
Among the findings are:
• Religious switching reflects the fundamental vigor of American religious life and the constant weeding out of ineffective religious denominations.
• Megachurches are often more intimate than small congregations, and they are more active in volunteer work.
• The percentage of atheists is holding steady at four percent of Americans.
• Conservative Protestants are more likely than liberal Protestants, Catholics, or Jews to report mystical experiences.
• Traditional Christian religion greatly decreases credulity, as measured by belief in such things as dreams, Bigfoot, UFOs, haunted houses, and astrology.
• Most Americans are comfortable talking about religion with most people; only when it comes to strangers do nearly half say they would be uncomfortable.
• Women, African-Americans, young people under 30, and Democrats are more likely to believe in the occult and paranormal.
