Title
Congregational Political Activity and Same-Sex Marriage: Social Movement Theory and Evidence for Contextual Influence
Abstract
We interpret three strands of social movement theory (social threat, opportunity structure, and resource mobilization) to understand religious congregations' political activity related to same-sex marriage. Using a unique, national data set from the 2008 presidential election, we show the importance of the anti-same-sex marriage discursive opportunity structure (DOS) for facilitating, and occasionally constraining, congregational political activity. Other theoretical factors influence congregations under limited, although important, conditions. Our research develops a nuanced understanding of congregations' roles in social movements that prioritize institutionalized political activity and expands DOS theory in relation to local religious organizations.
Department(s)
Sociology and Anthropology
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/tsq.12060
Publication Date
2014
Recommended Citation
Adler, Gary, Catherine Hoegeman, and A. Joseph West. "Congregational Political Activity and Same-Sex Marriage: Social Movement Theory and Evidence for Contextual Influence." The Sociological Quarterly 55, no. 3 (2014): 555-586.
Journal Title
The Sociological Quarterly
