Citation

Stump RW. Sociol. Relig. 1984; 45(4): 283-299.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Association for the Sociology of Religion)

DOI

10.2307/3711295

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The regional convergence hypothesis asserts that regional differences in the United States have declined over the past century. Convergence has been documented for many demographic and socioeconomic variables; but it is less clear that regional cultural differences have declined. This paper examines the convergence hypothesis through the variable of religious affiliation. Three hypotheses are tested: that regional differences have declined in white Protestant proportions, in denominational proportions within white Protestantism, and in Catholic proportions. Results for all three tests reveal that, contrary to the predictions of the convergence hypothesis, regional differences in religious affiliation in the United States have grown considerably stronger during the twentieth century. The observed patterns of divergence were brought about by spatial variations in denominational growth, which tended to reinforce earlier regional differences. These results suggest that regional prominence has been an important factor in denominational growth this century.