Religious Change in America

Greeley has been among the most perceptive and productive analysts of change in American religion. In this book, he analyzes data from forty years and comes up with some surprising findings. -- Nathan Glazer

Many observers assume that America is a far less religious nation than it was 40 years ago, but according to Greeley, this is untrue. Citing surveys conducted over the past half-century, Greeley concludes that rates of church attendance and membership, prayer, belief in an afterlife, and other measures of religious activity have remained constant.Many observers assume that America is a much less religious nation than it was forty years ago. According to Andrew Greeley, however, this is simply not true. Carefully analyzing surveys conducted over the past half-century, Greeley concludes that rates of church attendance, prayer, church membership, activity in church organizations, belief in life after death, and other measures of religious involvement have remained surprisingly constant.