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Private Prayer and Civic Involvement
Author(s) -
LOVELAND MATTHEW T.,
SIKKINK DAVID,
MYERS DANIEL J.,
RADCLIFF BENJAMIN
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal for the scientific study of religion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1468-5906
pISSN - 0021-8294
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-5906.2005.00261.x
Subject(s) - prayer , relevance (law) , politics , voluntary association , social psychology , sociology , religious studies , political science , psychology , law , philosophy
We analyze the relationship between private prayer and participation in voluntary association. We argue that prayer fosters a cognitive connection to the needs of others, and thus promotes membership in associations that emphasize personal relationships. Private prayer is not related to membership in political groups. The effect of prayer is strengthened by membership in religious groups, suggesting the relevance of both organizational and devotional aspects of religion for civil society participation.