Hard, Hard Religion

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Focusing on faith and class, this study delves into how early twentieth-century folk religion enabled poor white and black Southerners to share and learn from each other in their Christian lives amid hardship. It reveals a unique folk Christianity that emerged from the struggles of poverty, expressing themes of alienation and disenchantment through haunting songs, mystical conversion stories, and grassroots rituals. This movement emphasized the sacredness of everyday life and the importance of community support in a challenging socio-economic landscape.