Publisher's Synopsis
This book examines the apparent paradox of a society where the majority do not take part in organized religion but support church schools, religious education and assemblies for their children. The book builds up a picture of contemporary Christianity as both puerilised and feminised and illustrates these trends through a longitudinal study of a group of children growing up in a Cornish town, 'Penvollard' and the changing influences of family, school and churches on their religiosity. Underlying their mothers? support for religion in education is a child-centred view of Christianity as desirable for young children but naturally outgrown. What appeals to the non-churchgoing majority are the 'nice bits' of Christianity which are part of the magic of childhood. The involvement of the churches in the educational and social life of Penvollard is examined, drawing comparisons with the past and set in the context of changes in the role of the church schools and in religious education.
