Losing My Religion: Disaffiliation as a Sociological Process

Recent survey data shows that 17% of Americans today profess to having "no religion."  This percentage is a dramatic increase from the 8% in the 1990s and has led sociologists of religion to seriously consider the role of non-religiosity in the American religious landscape. What is causing this rise? What are the processes involved? And what consequences does this have for American religiosity?

This discussion will present recent findings from sociological work on religious disaffiliation. Through the use of the ethnographic method and qualitative sociological methodology, Alfredo Garcia has collaborated to analyze the disaffiliation narratives of non-religious members of Boston.  Trends of interest include rationality for identity terms (such as "atheist," or "agnostic"), the perception of religion, and the (re)construction of personal history.

Alfredo Garcia is currently a candidate for the Masters of Theological Studies degree at Harvard Divinity School. After graduating from Duke University, Alfredo was a Colet Fellow at St. Paul's School in London, England.  His research interests include the sociology of religion, science and religion, and science and politics.