‘America’s Blessings makes a significant contribution because there are few, if any, works like it. Stark set out to provide a ‘full accounting of the tangible…benefits of faith’ because, given the anti-religion rhetoric prominent in contemporary dialogue, such accounting is sorely needed. Furthermore, Stark is the one to present this comprehensive treatment. He is a respected and accomplished authority on the sociological effects of religion serving on the faculty of one of the most prestigious universities in the land. The book itself wastes no time on platitudes, unfounded assertions, or the purely subjective. It is a serious, carefully researched, well-justified, and impeccably rational defense of the beneficial role of religion in American society.’ —Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, Spring 2013
‘In America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists, the respected and prolific sociologist Rodney Stark draws several striking conclusions after surveying the relevant data. I summarize a few of them here, but I cannot do justice to Professor Stark’s extraordinarily interesting book, nor the details of his arguments, which I highly recommend. . . . [It] undermines the old accusation that religion is unhealthy and antisocial.’ —Daniel Peterson, Desert News. September 28, 2013
‘Stark clearly demonstrates the positive impact that religion has on American society.’ —Rev. Dan Erickson, The Hibbing Daily Tribune, Hibbing MN, September 21, 2013
‘America’s Blessings is another important contribution from Rodney Stark in studying religion. Where influential voices continue to deride, marginalize and misunderstand the impact of religion, particularly Christianity, careful research may give them a reason to pause. Strikingly, Stark concludes his work with a rough but reasonable calculation of the savings to US society each year that are directly attributable to the religiousness of the nation. $2.67 trillion is a figure not to be sniffed at. Economists and pollies take note! Stark acknowledges that not only are these figures inadequate but also they are beside the point. Even if the numbers are close to right, the intangible benefits of American life provided by its religious culture are worth immeasurably more.’ — Simon Smart, The Drum Online (ABC News)–May 20, 201
‘Well-written, well documented, powerfully persuasive. Even secularists and atheists will be impressed—although some will not want to admit it!’ —Steve Forbes
‘America’s Blessings makes a vital contribution to an underappreciated aspect of American exceptionalism. Stark eloquently shows how religion’s benefits in this unusually religious country fall not just on believers but also on those who profess no religious beliefs if they happen to live near those who do. As a master social scientist, he does not ask us to accept this as an act of faith but provides compelling data about ‘the religious effect’—on crime, charity, health, family life, achievement, education, and more. Despite claims about increasing secularization, religious America is alive and well and, as a result, so is the rest of America.’ —Arthur C. Brooks, president, American Enterprise Institute
‘This careful and well-written book, unsurprisingly coming from the Templeton Press, is based on well-selected samples and professional analysis standards. Its report, ranging across crime, family stability, sexuality, mental and physical health, achievement, and philanthropy, indicates that faith makes a measurable and crucial difference. It is a valuable and courageous study.’ —Iain R. Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary and Former Moderator of the Church of Scotland
