Social Networks and Religion: The Role of Congregational Social Embeddedness in Religious Belief and Practice

Abstract

Previous literature argues that social networks influence religiosity, but surprisingly, no studies have used national data of a variety of religious traditions to assess the relationship between embeddedness in congregation-based friendship networks and different dimensions of religiosity. This study uses new national data (Baylor Religion Survey 2007) to estimate models of religious activity (church activities and devotional activities) and of religious belief (supernatural beliefs, biblical literalism, and religious exclusivity). Among U.S. Christians, congregational social embeddedness is a robust predictor of all religiosity outcomes and is among the largest effects in models. These effects are not substantially moderated by religious tradition, although Catholic affiliation attenuates the positive relationship between social embeddedness and church activities. These findings strongly suggest that social sanctions and solidarity rewards within congregational social networks play an important role in heightening religiosity. Religious research would be enhanced by devoting greater attention to the importance of congregational social embeddedness.

Small groups, contexts, and civic engagement: A multilevel analysis of United States Congregational Life Survey data

“…Scholars argue that social rewards and punishments play a strong role in religious behavior and belief (Stroope, 2012). Norms of community service and the related group social sanctions provide powerful incentive for ongoing volunteering.…”

Religion and social capital: evidence from European countries

“…However, the possible impact of social capital on different aspects of religiosity has not received much attention in the literature, and the research on possible determinants of religiosity (see, for example, Taylor 1998, Barro and McCleary 2003, Uecker et al 2007 has not included any aspects of social capital. As one possible factor of religiosity (believing, attending services) congregation-based networks have been analysed (Cornwall 1998, Stroope 2011), but although congregation-based networks are also a form of social capital, they, in turn, have been formed on the basis of religious beliefs. It can be argued that persons who have wide social networks have less time and feel less need for church attendance, but it is also possible that a person has less interest in religion for other reasons and not attending services leaves more time for participating in social networks.…”

Leaving my religion: Understanding the relationship between religious disaffiliation, health, and well-being

“…Although most social networks are dominated by individuals with similar religious affiliation, this is particularly true for Evangelical Protestants; Evangelicals tend to establish a strong boundary between themselves and non-Evangelicals and are more likely to believe that their religion is the only path to eternal life (Smith 1998). This may foster stronger social ties among Evangelicals through social network closure, orienting affiliates toward church-centered networks (Iannaccone, 1994, Stroope, 2011). …”

“…In contrast to Evangelical churches, Catholics do not appear to exhibit stronger commitment as a function of the religious social network (Stroope, 2011). However, Catholic churches may foster strong commitment through familial identity.…”