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Title: A Bridging of Faiths by N. J. Demerath, Rhys H. Williams, N.J., III Demerath ISBN: 0-691-07413-5 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 13 July, 1992 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $52.50

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (1 review)

Rating: 5
Summary: Very well-written and very informative.
Comment: Summary:
The book is an in-depth look at the relationship between religion and politics (church-state relations) in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Chapter 1 lays out the approach taken to the project and describes the research and the book. Chapter 2 is a brief history of Springfield from its Congregational roots in the 1600s up to 1950. Chapter 3 is a history from 1950 to the then present - late 1980s. All of the history of Springfield in the book focuses on politics and religion except where other elements are relevant to the ultimate analysis, so if you are looking for a thorough treatment of the history of Springfield you should look elsewhere. Chapter 4 is a closer look at church-state relations.

Chapters 5-7 are case studies used to advance the understanding of church-state relations in Springfield. Chapter 5 focuses on the issue of homelessness. Chapter 6 takes a closer look at race issues and poor areas in Springfield. Chapter 7 examines issues of abortion and sex education in light of religion and politics.

Chapter 8, the final chapter, is where the authors bring everything together. They summarize the book and the research findings thus:

"Our own summary involves four conclusions at odds with what might have been predicted. First, despite Springfield's predominant Catholicism, there are fewer violations of the law and less bridging of church and state than many constitutional Cassandras might have expected, or than might have been predicted on the basis of community opinion. Second, this does not mean that religion has become a political cipher. Religionists of varying stripes - not exclusively Catholic - have exerted considerable political influence on selected issues, indeed more influence than many social scientists might have expected. Third, attempting to understand where religion does and does not exert civic influence leads to the realization that the contingencies and vicissitudes of power are themselves more complex than many political analysts have suggested. As one pointed example, most accounts have focused on the 'structure' of power, but it is the 'culture' of power - and the power of culture - that requires increasing attention. Fourth, and finally, religion's varying influence on civic matters is obviously related to larger changes in religion itself. Once again there are paradoxes to be confronted. A continuing religious influence in community disputes is not a rebuttal to long-term trends of secularization, as many students of religion might aver. Secularization and sacralization are more mutually dependent than mutually exclusive, and each tendency can only be understood with reference to the other."

The findings are based on interviews, comparative analysies, and survey data collected by the authors.

My Comments:
Unlike many 'academic' books, this book is intentionally designed to be readable. Undoubtedly there are many parts that might not be understandable to the individual that is not a specialist in sociology or the sociology of religion specifically. However, the authors make a notable effort to present their findings in such a fashion that it is enjoyable to read and intelligible to a lay audience.

The book (I am looking back in time now) was also timely in the study of the sociology of religion as debates surrounding the concept of secularization were on the rise. The authors' discussion is timely and still relevant.

Overall, this book is an excellent examination of church-state relations and likely applicable in many cities (despite the authors continual reminders that the findings should not be extrapolated universally). If you would like a better understanding of church-state relations in the U.S. you should read this book.