The Religion of the Poor

Escape or Creative Force

Bibliographic Data

ID2513992
AuthorsHarry G Lefever (corresponding author)
Year1977
Volume16
Issue3
Pages225
Publication date1977-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-8294 • E-ISSN: 1468-5906
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/1385693
OpenAlexW2315438933
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited10

This study presents an alternative explanation of low-income religious behavior other than as a compensation for the conditions of lower-class life or as an escape from those conditions. The argument is made that the religion of the poor contributes in significant and positive ways to the processes of identity formation and to the development and maintenance of cultural values and norms. The immediate social environment of the religious service provides a context in which identities are dynamically and dramatically conferred, developed, and reinforced. With regards to the larger social evnrionment, the religion of the poor, first of all, offers a challenge to the hierarchical structure of the general status system. And, secondly, the religion of the poor offers an understanding of tragedy and suffering that is frequently lacking from the sensibilities of the religious nonpoor

Sociology · Attention Economy in Education and Business · Human Behavior and Motivation · Urban Agriculture and Sustainability

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