Christian Smith's work delves into the intricate relationship between religion and modernity, with a particular focus on adolescents, American evangelicalism, and broader cultural landscapes. His research explores how religious beliefs and practices shape individual lives and societal dynamics. Smith employs a sociological lens to analyze these complex phenomena, seeking to understand their profound impact.
In Moral, Believing Animals, Christian Smith advances a creative theory of human persons and culture that offers innovative, challenging answers to these and other fundamental questions in sociological, cultural, and religious theory.
The memoir intertwines a son's exploration of his mother's paranormal abilities with a deep examination of their complex relationship. Christian Smith reflects on his childhood experiences, from witnessing his mother's psychic performances to her struggles with addiction and health issues. As a molecular biologist, he seeks to reconcile the extraordinary aspects of her life with scientific understanding. This unique narrative delves into themes of belief, skepticism, and the enduring bond of familial love, offering a poignant look at both personal and paranormal realms.
"This book is about how American religious parents approach the handing on of their religious practices and beliefs to their children. We know a lot about the importance of parents in faith transmission and factors that influence its effectiveness. But we know much less about the actual beliefs, feelings, and activities of the parents themselves when it comes to the intergenerational transmission of religious faith and practice"--
A world-renowned sociologist argues that evangelical biblicism is impossible and produces unwanted pastoral consequences.