Changing mennonite values: Attitudes on women, politics, and peace, 1972-1989

A number of scholars have documented the broad social changes that have occurred in the U.S. and other Western societies since World War II, changes dramatically affecting the attitudes and values of more recent generations socialized during this period. These societal trends also apply to Mennonites in North America. Fifty years ago the pre-World War II cohort was preoccupied with internal Mennonite community survival, with most members residing in segregated rural areas. By the 1990s, however, half lived in communities of 2,500 or more, with four times as many in the professions as working on the farm. In this study we l) analyze trends among Mennonites from 1972-1989 with regard to attitudes about the role of women, political participation, and peacemaking, and 2) evaluate the importance of intercohort (across birth cohort) and intracohort (within birth cohort) change. For all three dependent variables intercohort change is significant. Intracohort change is significant only for attitudes about the role of women and peace

The Narrowing Regional Gap in Church Attendance in the United States

Abstract Students of the South have postulated that southern distinctiveness is eroding. Using General Social Survey data for 1972–1991, the convergence hypothesis is tested for regular church attendance. Regional convergence is found, but only for the rural South. Also, narrowing of regional differences in church attendance is especially pronounced among the young, indicating that the convergence is likely to continue. Despite these results, present church attendance levels remain significantly higher in the South than in the non South. 1994 Rural Sociological Societ

Religious Values and Environmental Concern: Harmony and Detachment

The thought that environmental concern is rooted in religious beliefs and values has been raised by many writers. Different claims have been made about whether the nature of this relationship is positive or negative, and empirical evidence is mixed. In line with research on attitudes and values, this study examines the hypothesis that unless religious values are mentally accessible, they will not affect judgments of environmental issues. Copyright (c) 2005 by the Southwestern Social Science Association.

How Ecotheological Beliefs Vary Among Australian Churchgoers and Consequences for Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors

A growing literature has sought to understand the relationships between religion, politics and views about climate change and climate change policy in the United States. However, little comparative research has been conducted in other countries. This study draws on data from the 2011 Australian National Church Life Survey to examine the beliefs of Australian churchgoers from some 20 denominations about climate change—whether or not it is real and whether it is caused by humans—and political factors that explain variation in these beliefs. Pentecostals, Baptist and Churches of Christ churchgoers, and people from the smallest Protestant denominations were less likely than other churchgoers to believe in anthropogenic climate change, and voting and hierarchical and individualistic views about society predicted beliefs. There was some evidence that these views function differently in relation to climate change beliefs depending on churchgoers’ degree of opposition to gay rights. These findings are of interest not only for the sake of international comparisons, but also in a context where Australia plays a role in international climate change politics that is disproportionate to its small population

Public Opinion and Dynamic Representation in the American States: The Case of Environmental Attitudes

We investigate causal processes linking environmental conditions, attitudes, and policies in the American states: Is public opinion about ecology shaped by environmental conditions? Are state policymakers responsive to environmental opinions? Does public opinion respond to policy adoption? Copyright (c) 2005 by the Southwestern Social Science Association.