Disengagement From Religion - Stages of Religious Disaffiliation

Stages of Religious Disaffiliation

Brinkerhoff and Burke (1980) argue that "religious disaffiliation is a gradual, cumulative social process in which negative labeling may act as a 'catalyst' accelerating the journey of apostasy while giving it form and direction." They also argue that the process of religious disaffiliation includes the member stopping believing but continuing to participate in rituals, and that the element of doubt underlies many of the theoretical assumptions dealing with apostasy.

In her article about ex-nuns, Ebaugh (1988) describes four stages characteristic of role exit:

  1. first doubts
  2. seeking and weighing role alternatives
  3. a turning point
  4. establishing an ex-role identity.

In the two samples studied by Ebaugh the vast majority of the ex-nuns remained Catholics.

The Episcopal Church is forcing disaffiliation on some congregations in recient property settlements.

Read more about this topic:  Disengagement From Religion

Famous quotes containing the words stages of, stages and/or religious:

    Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,
    Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell
    And the profit and loss.
    A current under sea
    Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell
    He passed the stages of his age and youth
    Entering the whirlpool.
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

    The four stages of man are infancy, childhood, adolescence and obsolescence.
    Art Linkletter (20th century)

    Friendship demands a religious treatment. We talk of choosing our friends, but friends are self-elected. Reverence is a great part of it.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)