John S. Knox - Sacro-Egoism: The Rise of Religious Individualism in the West

T he world is changing before our eyes with ethic shifts across national boundaries, economic struggles, and the rise of the Emerging culture in the face of Modernisms decline. As these and other changes take place, religion and spirituality in the West are also being affected. For decades, Social Scientists have sharply debated the trends of spirituality and religion in North America. One prevaling theme amongst many scholars is a belief that secularization is gaining strength and that the influence of religion is diminishing. Another theory points to trends of accomodation and spiritual revitalization shown in the development of post-Christendom churches, the progress of the House Church movement, and the growth of the Emerging Church movement. Still others believe that the rising tide of designer religions, American folk religions, and the influence of individualism on spirituality point to the possibility of transformation.

John S. Knox examines these theories in relation to the attitudes and practices of a small town in Oregon. The McMinville Project, undertaken as a comparison study from the Kendal Project in the UK, looks at current trends that reinforce or challenge religious and sociological theories described in Knoxs Sacro-Egoism: The Rise of Religious Individualism in the West .

Knox examines the sources of spiritual authority in the lives of citizens in the Northwest town of McMinville, Oregon. He seeks answers through a series of qualitative and quantitative devices, mirroring the similar study in the UK. This comparitive study is important for religious practicitioners in discovering the prevailing paths of spiritual growth in the Pacific Northwest and how the local church could adapt or react to these trends.

The Pacific Northwest is often described by locals as a spiritual widerness; The I- corridor from Belingham, Washington to Eugene, Oregon, often referred to as the dark corridor, has long struggled with developing and maintaining a religious identity. Stability of churches in the region has historically been in flux, waxing and waning, but never quite establishing strong enough roots to exert lasting spiritual or social influence. Having one of the highest rates of individualism in the United States, organized religion in the Pacific Northwest has consistently struggled with corporate identity and spiritual growth. In the face of a wide variety of religious options and expectation to explore ones own spirituality, Northwest opinion polls have continuously shown some of the lowest religious identification percentages in the US. A large percentage of people in the Northwest who identify with no religious tradition have been called the Nones.

While the Pacific Northwest ranks high amongst the Nones, it is not necessarily lacking in spirituality. Non-traditional religious centers are found throughout the regions cities and rural areas. Spiritual Renewal Centers, Celtic Druid worship groups, and various forms of Westernized Buddhism and Hinduism litter urban and rural areas of the Pacific Northwest.

In terms of migration trends, the Pacific Northwest has become one of the nations largest magnets of the Emerging culture (formerly called Generation X and Millennials). As Modernity is being challenged, members of the Emerging culture are seeking religious practices that embody the ideals of their culture. There seems to be a marked rejection of many theologies and religious trappings associated with Modern religions, especially those within the established Christian church. Key cultural indicators (such as the growth of enlightened mysticism and dissatisfaction with rational answers) imply a fundamental shift in culture, altering the dominant paradigm away from Modernity toward Postmodernity.

The Pacific Northwest has been host to experimental religious activities, religious social justice, and experiential worship practices. Foremost amongst the Emerging churchs complaints is the modern churchs embrace of Enlightenment characteristics, especially the elevation of rational thought, dominance of science, individualism, mechanism, and rampant categorization, including the separation between natural and supernatural realms.

These struggles and trends lead to complex issues pertaining to spiritual journeys of Pacific Northwesterners and more questions for religion on a national scale. How do those in the Pacific Northwest percieve organized religion? Do these trends mirror larger trends? What do these trends signify for the future of Western religion? How should Christian churches respond to these changes?

Knox chose McMinville, Oregon as a kind of control group to test current theories and trends to show whether religion is growing, shrinking or changing and why. Because of its unique and yet representative history, Oregon offers perhaps a microcosmic sample of a larger trend in Western religious thought and practice. Due to its never having had a state religion and being one of the least churched regions in the US, the Pacific Northwest offers a great example of Sacro-Egoism expressed in attitudes and action in its individuals and communities.

Knox raises questions about the state of religion and spirituality in the West that are relevant to these major cultural changes. He outlines the current debate about spirituality in the US, focusing on three possible outcomes: spiritual revitilization, growing secularism, and individualized designer religion. His survey of relevant literature surrounding Congregational Studies and the Sociology of Religion presents a collage of current thinkers salient points about the issues of faith, growth, social trends and cultural direction for spirituality in the Northwest. Knoxs concern for current issues that impact spiritual belief and the Christian church is clearly demonstrated in his research and writing on issues that are especially important to the dark corridor of the Pacific Northwest and the future of faith in the West.

Terry Steele

PhD in Intercultural Studies

Doctor of Missiology

Professor, George Fox University