GenX Religion

"These rich and subtle papers demonstrate that generation X is neither Western civilization's deliverance nor its nemesis." -- Alan Aldridge, American Journal of Sociology "...provides a typology that helps readers understand GenXers and their religious needs." -- Religious Studies Review "Each chapter is unique, interesting reading and includes specific references for that particular case study (from Christian Tattoo parlors to a Friday Night Live Shabbat service)." -- Religious Studies Review "GenX Religion is a fascinating foray into the spiritual expression of a varied group of youthful seekers... The book's editors... offer illuminating chapters that attempt to define Gen-Xers and posit a theory of their religion... the book is an engrossing look at the colorful way in which Gen-Xers are making an unconventional mark on the American religious landscape." -- Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times "GenX Religion looks deep into the gap between traditional by-the-book churches and solitary postmodern spirituality to find a thriving world of youthful religious gatherings-a Christian tattoo parlor, a Baptist nightspot, a Latino drama troupe, a Korean students' Bible study, Sunday services for hip African Americans, shabbat and schmoozing for Jewish singles, committed fellowships and casual associations-with hardly anyone over thirty! This is a fascinating book." -- R. Stephen Warner, University of Illinois at Chicago "This volume represents the opening gambit in a larger discussion of the eclectic, innovative, and unconventional spirituality of Generation X. If this collection of compelling essays is any indication, it promises to be a lively conversation indeed." -- Randall Balmer, author of Blessed Assurance: A History of Evangelicalism in America "...a rich inside look at the pastiche of worship styles and spiritual practices that America's young people have come to embrace--and a poignant portrait of a generation desperately seeking to be loved." -- Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University, author of After Heaven: Spirituality in America Since the 1950s

Richard W. Flory is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Biola University. Donald E. Miller is Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California, where he codirects the Center for Religion and Civic Culture.

Preface Contributors Introduction Understanding Generation X: Values, Politics, and Religious Commitments Donald E. Millar and Arpi Misha Miller Part I. Spirituality Embodied 1. Marked for Jesus: Sacred Tattooing Among Evangelical Gen Xers Lori Jensen, Richard W. Flory, Donald E. Miller 2. Spirituality Bites: Xers and the Gothic Cult/ure Julia Winden Fey Part II. GenX Multicultures 3. Sunday Night Fever (An) Urban Mosaic in Shangri-La LaDawn Prieto 4. Slipping into Darkness: Popular Culture and the Creation of a Latino Evangelical Youth Culture Arlen Sanchez Walsh 5. Creating Campus Communities: Korean-American Ministries at UCLA Sharon Kim 6. The Traditional as Alternative: The Gen-X Appeal of the International Church of Christ Gregory C. Stanczak Part III. Community and Congregation 7. When Two Worlds Collide: Generation X Culture and Conservative Evangelicalism Lori Jensen 8. Saturday Night in Pasadena: Wholeness, Healing and Holiness at Harvest Rock Church Douglas Hayward 9. Spirit Made Flesh: The Tangible Spirituality of 'LL Prime Time' Kimberley Leaman Algallar and Richard W. Flory 10. 'Friday Night Live: It's Not Your Parents' Shabbat' J. Liora Gubkin 11. Losing Life to Save It: An 'Insider' Ethnography of the Church of the Redeemer Community in South Central Los Angeles Timothy Sato Conclusion. Toward a Theory of Generation X Religion Richard W. Flory