Will Mormonism be the next world faith; one that will rival Catholicism; Islam; and other major religions in terms of numbers and global appeal? This was the question Rodney Stark addressed in his much-discussed and much-debated article; "The Rise of a New World Faith" (1984); one of several essays on Mormonism included in this new collection. Examining the religion's growing appeal; Rodney Stark concluded that Mormons could number 267 million members by 2080. In what would become known as "the Stark argument;" Stark suggested that the Mormon Church offered contemporary sociologists and historians of religion an opportunity to observe a rare event: the birth of a new world religion.In the years following that article; Stark has become one of the foremost scholars of Mormonism and the sociology of religion. This new work; the first to collect his influential writings on the Mormon Church; includes previously published essays; revised and rewritten for this volume. His work sheds light on both the growth of Mormonism and on how and why certain religions continue to grow while others fade away. Stark examines the reasons behind the spread of Mormonism; exploring such factors as cultural continuity with the faiths from which it seeks converts; a volunteer missionary force; and birth rates. He explains why a demanding faith like Mormonism has such broad appeal in today's world and considers the importance of social networks in finding new converts. Stark's work also presents groundbreaking perspectives on larger issues in the study of religion; including the nature of revelation and the reasons for religious growth in an age of modernization and secularization.
#766704 in Books Thomas Dublin 1993-04-15 1993-08-05Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .54 x 6.00l; .70 #File Name: 023108157X217 pagesFarm to Factory
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Susan DelisleNeeded it for college course4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good; but it can be boring at timesBy Phyllis JDublin's Farm to Factory contains real; unedited letters about 19th century factory girls in Massachusets and New Hampshire. The book provides great insight on the daily lives of these women; and how many were torn on becoming independent and working for themselves and staying home with their families. Lowell; Mass. becaming a largely industraial city because of these women. The book also shows how women were just one source of cheap labor at the time and how they were not always treated fairly by the mill owners; and how their lives were sometimes dictated by these people. The book is a very good historical source; as it provides quite a few letters; some from the same women (this helps the reader identify with the worker as a person and not just a historical figure); and some pictures of the town are included throughout the book. My only complaint is the lenght of the book; it can become rather tiring towards the end. My suggestion would be to read it in small doses so you can absorb everything and come out with a better understanding of it at the end.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Letters Tell the StoryBy M. K. BurtonFarm to Factory is a collection of letters written between young girls and their family and friends while they lived at factory run mills. The letters are insightful and give a new meaning to the place of young women in the early workforce of America. The girls selected talk of how they spend the little extra money they have; what their living conditions are like; what they do with their little free time; if they help support their family; how they help other family members find work; how they mother younger siblings when they come to work; and many other aspects of their daily life. This book is excellent.
