Complex Religion: Toward a Better Understanding of the Ways in which Religion Intersects with Inequality
Title
Complex Religion: Toward a Better Understanding of the Ways in which Religion Intersects with Inequality
Author
Wilde, Melissa J.
Tevington, Patricia
Research Area
Social Institutions
Topic
Religious Institutions
Abstract
Sociologists have long known that religion is deeply interconnected with race, class, and ethnicity in the United States. However, modern sociologists typically study religion as if it is independent from other social structures. Profound class differences remain between American religious groups. Jews, Mainline Protestants and new immigrant groups such as Hindus are at the top of the socioeconomic ladder. Conservative Protestants, both Black and White remain at the bottom. We therefore argue that religion is not independent of class and race and should almost always be examined in interaction with these and other social structures. We call this, theoretical approach “complex religion.”