Nominal Christian Adherence

Abstract

It is the desire for belonging, not believing, that explains whv so many apparently non-religious people who do not believe in even the minimal tenets of organized religion will claim a religious identity in specific contexts. This paper draws on qualitative longitudinal empirical research seeking to explain that claim through exploring mainstream religious belief and identity in Euro-American countries. What is often described as nominal, fuzzy, or marginal adherence is far from an empty category, but one loaded with significance and similar to an ever-present, implicit religious oritentation described by Durkheim. The author develops nom inalism as characterized by a lack of a strong belief in a higher power, and indifference towards churches, but an (irregular) adherence to religion as a significant cultural, familial, and moral marker.

Strength of Religious Faith in the Portuguese Catholic Elderly

“…The elderly with lower levels of education are expected to show higher levels of strength of religious faith (Hungerman, 2013). Finally, because religious affiliation without religious practice is more about belonging than believing (Day, 2012), it is expected that people who practice their religion will show higher levels of strength of religious faith.…”

“…Religious affiliation is not restricted to those who actively participate in a religion's collective and private ceremonies and activities. Non-practicing believers can identify themselves as belonging to a religion, which they use as a significant cultural, familial and moral marker (Day, 2012), hence the discrepancy between the number of people who identify themselves as religious and the lower numbers of people who frequent religious ceremonies or engage in religious activities as praying. This discrepancy can be felt more in some countries that in others.…”

Does Religious Affiliation Protect People's Well‐Being? Evidence from the Great Recession after Correcting for Selection Effects

“…However, the interaction effect between employment growth and Christian is statistically insignificant. Motivated by evidence, for example, from Storm () and Day (2012) about the importance of religiosity for Christians, including for physical and mental health outcomes (Sternthal et al. 2010; Croezen, Burdorf and Van Lenthe 2015; Chen and VanderWeele 2018), we now interact an indicator of whether the individual is an active Christian with employment growth.…”