Routledge Sacred Matters: Religion and Spirituality in Families

Sacred Matters explores the multi-disciplinary literature about the role of religion in family life and provides new research and a new theory about ways various aspects of the sacred are helpful and harmful. The authors hope that their new conceptual framework will stimulate new research and encourage the creation of new intervention programs designed to help families. Sacred Matters features: a new conceptual framework and theory about how, when, and why sacred matters influence family processes and outcomes new qualitative and quantitative research collected in a variety of ways from people with different religious perspectives in different geographical areas an expansion in theory and research about the role of forgiveness, sacrifice, prayer, and sanctification in family life the integration of studies and issues from psychology, sociology, family studies, anthropology, and religion. This book raises the bar in creating new theories about family processes and in the integration of theory, research, and application. It begins with a review of the previous literature and then expands the research about sanctification to create a new general theory (or model) about ways sacred processes help and hinder families. Next the authors expand the theory and research about the role of forgiveness, sacrifice, and prayer in families. New theory and research are then added about loving, coping with conflict, dealing with undesirable behavior, generational relationships, morality, and the psychosocial aspects of religion. The authors then describe ways sacred theory can be integrated with other theories and ways it provides new explanations about broader social problems. The book concludes with new quantitative research and suggestions for future research. Researchers, practitioners, and advanced students in several disciplines will find this volume valuable. It will expand and enrich the reading in graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in areas such as family studies, human development, marriage and family therapy, the psychology of the family and the psychology of religion, the sociology of the family and the sociology of religion, pastoral counseling, anthropology, and social work. Review "Finally – a comprehensive family theory that addresses what millions of families find central to their lives – spirituality and religion. Sacred Matters will be the launch pad for decades of research on faith and families. I am developing a course called "Family Spirituality." Sacred Matters is sure to be one of my primary texts for the course." – Chris Gonzalez, Lipscomb University, USA "This ground-breaking work is sure to become a classic. These outstanding scholars combine their expertise in theory development and empirical research to provide a volume that will serve both as a text in theory courses and as a framework for future research and theory." - Joe D. Wilmoth, Mississippi State University, USA "This book is one of the most impressive works on family theory in decades. Its scope is quite impressive, ranging from philosophical issues to applied issues. The writing is... clear and the use of quotes from family members is refreshing... I think the authors have hit gold in their core proposition that the experience of the sacred is an important domain of family life, irrespective of religious belief or even participation." - William Doherty, University of Minnesota, USA "This [book] is valuable not only for its treatment of the relationships between religion and family life, but also for its ambitious effort to spell out the positive behaviors that go into a good family life, and the negative behaviors that undercut a positive family life." – W. Bradford Wilcox, University of Virginia, USA About the Author Wesley R. Burr is Emeritus Professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University, Utah, USA. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, USA. A former President of the National Council on F