Race and Religiosity: An Empirical Evaluation of a Causal Model

Abstract

A causal model of the dimensions of religiosity and its social determinants, especially race, is presented and evaluated using cross-sectional survey data collected in a southern metropolitan area (n = 611). Religiosity is measured in two ways: a single item measure of church attendance and a multi-item Likert scale. The latter is factor analyzed to reveal three additional dimensions of religiosity: religious ritualism, religious communalism, and beliefs in God. Blacks report relatively higher levels of church attendance, ritualism and communalism, net of covariates. For each racial group, social determinants are hypothesized to influence church attendance via the other dimensions of religiosity. The hypothesis is partially confirmed. In addition, race and age are found to interact, with age directly influencing church attendance more for blacks than for whites. Many institutions in American society continue to be segregated by race, and no institution is segregated more than religion. If social scientists are to further understanding of the experiences of members of racial groups, then we must extend the study of racial patterning of religious belief and behavior. This is particularly true for the study of African-Americans, because of the historical significance of the church for this group. The present paper examines racial patterns in religiosity using survey data collected in a southern metropolitan community. In particular, two sociological questions frame the analysis. First, does racial group membership (black or white) continue to make a significant difference in the patterns of religious belief and practice? Second, what is the nature of the causal relationships among the dimensions of religiosity and its social determinants, including race?