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Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone
When asked their religious identification, more people answer "none" in the Pacific Northwest than in any other region of the United States. But this does not mean that the region's religious institutions are without power or that Northwesterners who do attend no place of worship are without spiritual commitments. With no dominant denomination, Evangelicals, Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Jews, adherents of Pacific Rim religious traditions, indigenous groups, spiritual environmentalists, and secularists must vie or sometimes must cooperate with each other to address the regions' pressing economic, environmental, and social issues. One cannot understand this complex region without understanding the fluid religious commitments of its inhabitants. And one cannot understand religion in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska without Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest .
- GenresCultural
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 21, 2016
This review was originally posted to Garth's Blog: http://garthhamilton.blogspot.com/201...
This Pacific Northwest entry in the “Religion by Region” series was edited by Patricia O’Connell Killen and Mark Silk. It was required reading for me, and I already submitted my detailed report of this book to my Credentials Advisory Board. In my report, I noted that this book would be very helpful for someone serving in ministry here in the Pac NW, as well as anyone interested in the history, evolution, and current trends in religious thought here in my neck of the woods.
The authors’ research stresses that people of the Pac NW are spiritually-minded but religiously unaffiliated, overwhelmingly so. I appreciated that this book lays the groundwork for various religious and non-religious groups of the Pac NW to work together to “address the region’s pressing economic, environmental, and social issues. And I was thrilled to find familiar references to the Church of God reformation movement, TomFest alternative music festival, Beaverton Foursquare Church, Louis Palau festivals at the Portland waterfront, Powell’s Books, Mazamas, etc..
As an outdoor adventure leader myself, one thing that surprised me was the authors’ take on what they referred to as “Northwest Nature Religion.” Despite my Wesleyan Holiness leanings, by their definition I seem to be lumped in with nature worshipping religious groups. I recognize our common passions: outdoor recreation and leadership, concern for the environment, a simple and sustainable lifestyle, and enhancement of faith in God while being out in nature.
Does that mean I worship the creation rather than the Creator? Nope. But I sure do enjoy the creation.
This Pacific Northwest entry in the “Religion by Region” series was edited by Patricia O’Connell Killen and Mark Silk. It was required reading for me, and I already submitted my detailed report of this book to my Credentials Advisory Board. In my report, I noted that this book would be very helpful for someone serving in ministry here in the Pac NW, as well as anyone interested in the history, evolution, and current trends in religious thought here in my neck of the woods.
The authors’ research stresses that people of the Pac NW are spiritually-minded but religiously unaffiliated, overwhelmingly so. I appreciated that this book lays the groundwork for various religious and non-religious groups of the Pac NW to work together to “address the region’s pressing economic, environmental, and social issues. And I was thrilled to find familiar references to the Church of God reformation movement, TomFest alternative music festival, Beaverton Foursquare Church, Louis Palau festivals at the Portland waterfront, Powell’s Books, Mazamas, etc..
As an outdoor adventure leader myself, one thing that surprised me was the authors’ take on what they referred to as “Northwest Nature Religion.” Despite my Wesleyan Holiness leanings, by their definition I seem to be lumped in with nature worshipping religious groups. I recognize our common passions: outdoor recreation and leadership, concern for the environment, a simple and sustainable lifestyle, and enhancement of faith in God while being out in nature.
Does that mean I worship the creation rather than the Creator? Nope. But I sure do enjoy the creation.
April 21, 2011
I had to read this for a class, but, overall, it was very interesting. I don't know if I would have picked it up if I hadn't needed it for a class, but I'm glad that it was part of the syllabus. A little boring in places but, overall, very informative and a great introduction to the particular religious/spiritual landscape of the PNW.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews