Religion in Ashworthy 1958-2011: A sociology classic revisited

Steve Bruce

doi:10.1179/1470499413Z.00000000012

Religion in Ashworthy 1958-2011: A sociology classic revisited

Steve Bruce

Sociology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In A West Country Village: Ashworthy W. M. Williams described the religious life of rural West Devon in the late 1950s. This research updates that study. Data on various indices of Anglican and Methodist involvement show the disappearance of communal conformity, but also increased commitment from the smaller core of committed members. The changed status of the clergy and of the churches is discussed as is their continuing public roles. In a cautionary note, the paper argues that public respect for the secondary functions of the churches should not be mistaken for some widespread ‘believing without belonging’.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	92-102
Number of pages	11
Journal	Rural Theology
Volume	11
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1179/1470499413Z.00000000012
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2013

Keywords

Anglican Church
Methodist Church
community
church adherence

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Cite this

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title = "Religion in Ashworthy 1958-2011: A sociology classic revisited",

abstract = "In A West Country Village: Ashworthy W. M. Williams described the religious life of rural West Devon in the late 1950s. This research updates that study. Data on various indices of Anglican and Methodist involvement show the disappearance of communal conformity, but also increased commitment from the smaller core of committed members. The changed status of the clergy and of the churches is discussed as is their continuing public roles. In a cautionary note, the paper argues that public respect for the secondary functions of the churches should not be mistaken for some widespread {\textquoteleft}believing without belonging{\textquoteright}.",

keywords = "Anglican Church , Methodist Church , community, church adherence",

author = "Steve Bruce",

note = "From 2007 to 2009 I was in receipt of a senior research fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust. I am grateful to the Trust and to the University of Aberdeen for supporting my work and to John Peek, Stuart Wilson, Phillip Wagstaffe and Ruth Hanford, and the staff of the Devon Record Office, the North Devon Record Office and the Diocese of Exeter for their generous assistance.",

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N2 - In A West Country Village: Ashworthy W. M. Williams described the religious life of rural West Devon in the late 1950s. This research updates that study. Data on various indices of Anglican and Methodist involvement show the disappearance of communal conformity, but also increased commitment from the smaller core of committed members. The changed status of the clergy and of the churches is discussed as is their continuing public roles. In a cautionary note, the paper argues that public respect for the secondary functions of the churches should not be mistaken for some widespread ‘believing without belonging’.

AB - In A West Country Village: Ashworthy W. M. Williams described the religious life of rural West Devon in the late 1950s. This research updates that study. Data on various indices of Anglican and Methodist involvement show the disappearance of communal conformity, but also increased commitment from the smaller core of committed members. The changed status of the clergy and of the churches is discussed as is their continuing public roles. In a cautionary note, the paper argues that public respect for the secondary functions of the churches should not be mistaken for some widespread ‘believing without belonging’.

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KW - community

KW - church adherence

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ER -

Religion in Ashworthy 1958-2011: A sociology classic revisited

Abstract

Keywords

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