Religious Belief and Structure in America

Abstract

Scholarly attention has been given to the change in religious belief in more industrial societies. The acceptance level of a fundamental Judeo-Christian belief (life after death) was analyzed for the three dominant religious groups. Using a 1973 survey, it was found that Catholic priests accept an after-life more frequently than Protestant ministers or Jewish rabbis. However, Protestant laity hold such a view slightly more frequently than Jewish laity. Consequently, clergy-laity differences were greatest for Jews, followed by Catholic and Protestant. While debate continues on the thesis that the level of acceptance of traditional religious beliefs varies inversely with industrialization (Hertel and Nelsen, 1974; and Weigert and Thomas, 1974), broad general analysis of religious beliefs and structure within countries at various stages of development should not be ignored. For instance, Parsons (1963: 38) stated that in an industrial society the institutional church and the individual member become more autonomous and interdependent than in earlier stages of development. Religion at this point lessens its hold on individuals which, in turn, creates increased differentiation of church and society. As this process occurs, the fundamental problem of how the religious structure adjusts to societal changes emerges. This religious dilemma revolves around the belief system. Too much modification changes the original purpose of the institution while too little change results in structural and institutional obsolescence. The purpose of this research is to examine religious belief from the point of view of the three dominant religions in the United States. Specifically, the research contrasts views of life after death for Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish laity and clergy.