Theology is in disrepute among most Western intellectuals. The word is taken to mean a passe form of religious thinking that embraces irrationality and dogmatism. So too, Scholasticism. Rodney Stark disreputedogmatismembrace Change image and share on social
Regular church-goers are substantially more likely than non-attenders to read, to take newspapers and magazines, to listen to classical music, to attend symphony concerts, operas, and stage plays. Rodney Stark attendattenderchurch Change image and share on social
Mormons are an extraordinarily educated and professional population. They have all these virtues: They work hard, don't skip school, have no scandals. Consequently, you find them in a lot of consequential places. Rodney Stark consequentialeducateextraordinarily share on social
Many people who say they have no religion are simply saying they have no official religious affiliation. They may actually have strong personal beliefs. Rodney Stark affiliationbeliefofficial Change image and share on social
Those who belong to megachurches display as high a level of personal commitment as do those who attend small congregations. Rodney Stark attendbelongcommitment Change image and share on social
Most churches are run by preachers who went to seminaries, who decided to be preachers when they were 18, 19, 20 years old. These preachers never met a payroll. They don't know how the world works. Rodney Stark churchdecidemeet Change image and share on social
Wherever you've got a state church, you have empty churches. Rodney Stark churchemptyhave Change image and share on social
Had the followers of Jesus remained an obscure Jewish sect, most of you would not have learned to read, and the rest of you would be reading from hand-copied scrolls. Rodney Stark copyfollowerhand Change image and share on social
American churches work very hard at reaching out to people to bring them in. Rodney Stark americanbringchurch Change image and share on social
There was only one decline in church attendance, and that was in the late 1960s when the Vatican said it was not a sin to miss Mass. They said Catholics could act like Protestants, and so they did. Rodney Stark 1960sactattendance Change image and share on social
