W. E. B. Du Bois and the Sociology of the Black Church and Religion, 1897–1914

by Robert A. Wortham (Editor)

W. E. B. Du Bois is the founding figure of the sociological study of the Black Church. His discussion of the six functions of Philadelphia’s Black Church in The Philadelphia Negro (1899) represented an early example of a “functional analysis” of a religious group. In The Negro Church (1903), he integrated the findings from religious census data, denominational statistics, small area surveys, ethnographic fieldwork, and historical studies to paint a picture of the vibrant role the Black Church played in the African American community. Du Bois discusses the Black Church in three of the essays included in The Souls of Black Folk (1903), other sociological essays and several Atlanta University Conference annual reports. Additionally, Du Bois’ perspective on the Black Church and the role of religion in the African American community can be gleaned from various poetic works, prayers, and editorials. W.E.B. Du Bois and the Sociological Study of the Black Church and Religion, 1897–1914 showcases a representative sample of classic studies on the Black Church and religion by a pioneer of American sociology.

Genres: Religion

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2017

Reviews

[Sydney Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

From what I knew about Du Bois before reading this book, I assumed it would be similar to Carter G. Woodson’s Mis-Education of the Negro. None of these writings are anything akin to those observations except maybe the first reading. Instead most of the pieces included in this book are examples of a functional use of religion to propel Balck society in the early 20th century. Its a very paternalistic text that often fails the properly balance between recognition of deficits in society and denegrating those sociL scientists hope to serve.