| This study sought to determine whether American society and culture have undergone noticeable secularization over the past 125 years--that is, whether there has been a decline in the prominence and influence of religion.;The findings of this study confirmed the secularization thesis. Religion enjoyed prominence and influence in the nineteenth century, as indicated by its coverage in the Times. The secularizing impact of industrialization and urbanization--processes which accelerated dramatically in the United States in the last third of that century--was indicated by a steep decline at the turn of the century in the prominence and frequency of religious matter in news and advertising. For the twentieth century the trend has been a steady decline.;The basic methodological assumption of this study was that the mass media could provide, within specified limits, significant indicators of social change. It was argued that the frequency and prominence of religious content in The New York Times constituted a valid and reliable indicator of the prominence and influence of religion in society. One hundred fifty-six issues of the Times selected from the period 1855-1975 were subjected to content analysis; all religious stories, headlines, photographs, advertising, and any mentions of religion were counted, measured, and recorded. |
