Religiosity, Religious Affiliation and Religious Belief: The Exploration of a Typology

Abstract

The specification of religiosity and religious affiliation as independent dimensions yields an initial four-fold classification of religious member, a-religious member, religious independent, and residual a-religious. When survey data are related to these categories, significant differences in religious attitudes and belief are revealed. An expanded typology of eight categories is proposed in order to include irreligious affiliates and non-affiliates. Uses for this typology are suggested in the study of the institutionalization and de-institu