ABSTRACT
For many believers in the United States, the essence of religion is noninstitutional private devotionalism. It involves the reception of religious stimuli and the expression of religious feeling through such private or intimate-group acts as prayer, Bible reading and discussion, sharing the faith with others through evangelization, and seeking God's guidance for life's personal problems. The American religious culture provides fertile ground for devotionalism. Based on sect-style religion rather than church-style religion, it allows the suppliant to approach God directly without sacramental rituals or priestly intermediaries. And as Max Weber argued (Gerth and Mills 1946), since the evidence of true religion was to be found not simply in articles of faith and frequent church attendance but also in righteous behavior—acts that put one in daily touch with God—American religious norms stimulate private devotionalism. But it has never been clear to scholars whether such private acts have independent social and political import or are simply measures of intensification for other religious dimensions such as church affiliation, church involvement, or religious beliefs.
