Black Radical Consciousness and the Black Christian Experience: Toward a Critical Sociology of Afro-American Religion

This paper reviews a growing body of sociological research into the status and political-ideological implications of Catholicism versus Protestantism as modes of Black religious affiliation. An attempt is made to identify the shortcomings of this literature, and to suggest new directions for investigation that are more pertinent to the classical theoretical questions regarding religious-secular interplay as well as to the practical concerns of most Black Americans. Discussion emphasizes the need for sociologically and historically enlightened treatments of Black religion which range beyond conventional issues to examine critically the role of Christianity vis-a-vis an evolving Black radical consciousness.