Transmitting religion: A look at Vern L. Bengtson’s Families and Faith: How Religion Is Passed Down across Generations
Keywords
book review, family, faith, religion, generations, heritage
Abstract
Over the past hundred years, social scientists have tended to take one of three approaches with respect to the topic of religion. Approach 1 typically pathologies and intellectually scorns religious beliefs, practices, and faith communities, although there are now hundreds of empirical studies that link religious involvement with increased mental health, relational health, physical health, and longevity. Approach 2 politely ignores, minimizes, or marginalizes religion. Approach 3 engages in actively studying religion but typically with a cold, arms-length, agnostic-like feel. For nearly thirty years, sociologist Vern Bengtson, the author of Families and Faith, practiced this third approach.
Original Publication Citation
Marks, L. D. (2016). Transmitting religion: A look at Vern L. Bengtson’s Families and Faith: How Religion Is Passed Down across Generations. BYU Studies Quarterly, 55, 160-171.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Marks, Loren D., "Transmitting religion: A look at Vern L. Bengtson’s Families and Faith: How Religion Is Passed Down across Generations" (2014). Faculty Publications. 4859.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4859
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2014
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7663
Publisher
BYU Studies Quarterly
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Family Life
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/