This article examines the use and misuse of alcohol across religious denominations. After controlling for standard sociodemographic variables, we find that the impact of religiosity on alcohol use is greatest among those denominations taking a strong stand against its consumption, mainly because religion constitutes a significant reference group for members. We also find that religiosity fails to influence misuse, and discuss the possible reasons for this result.The classical theorists saw religion as a key explanatory variable. They argued that it served as a significant reference group providing moral messages that affect conformity and deviance among its members (Durkheim 1965; Weber 1956; Marx 1972).This perspective has prompted considerable research on the relationship between religion and deviance. The present study clarifies some of the inconsistencies and problems of past research by applying reference group theory to the relationship between religion and alcohol use, using a national sample of the population, employing multivariate analytical techniques while controlling for sociodemographic variables, and examining the influence of denominational contexts. We make two arguments. First, the relationship between religiosity and alcohol use will be greater in proscriptive than nonproscriptive denominations. Second, the religiosity-misuse relationship will be weaker and show less variation across denominations than the religiosity-use relationship.
Reference group theory is used t o help resolve an anomaly: the relationships among religiosity, socioeconomic status, and sexual morality. Past research has shown that while SES and religiosity are positively related to each other, SES is related to liberal sexual attitudes and religiosity is related to conservative sexual attitudes. SES and religiosity are therefore working at cross-purposes and represent competing frames of reference for some persons. Specifications of reference group theory helps to pinpoint the conditions under which particular choices are made. The 1972-78 NORC data set is used to test specific propositions extrapolated from Robert Merton's analysis of reference groups. The findings show that religious group involvement has greater impact than SES collectivity. The influence of religiosity is, however, dependent upon a conservative milieu. For generally liberal denominations, there is less necessity for a choice between the competing reference points; thus, neither religion nor SES overwhelms the other. These results and reference group theory suggest areas for future investigation. 0 1 9 8 3 by The Sociological Quarterly. All rights reserved. 0038-0253/83/1500-0545$00.75
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