Christian Smith

Christian Smith

Sociologist

Christian Smith is a sociologist known for his work on moral formation and identity within social contexts.

Children Issues Backgrounds Lame White Purpose
Born
January 1, 1960
Quotes
5
Rank
#3336

About Christian Smith

Christian Smith — Life and Legacy

Christian Smith is a prominent sociologist recognized for his influential research on the intersections of identity, morality, and society. His work, particularly in 'Soul Searching,' examines how young people's identities are shaped by their social environments and cultural narratives. Smith argues that identity is not merely an individual construct but is profoundly influenced by community interactions and societal expectations. Through his exploration of moral formation, Smith highlights that our understanding of right and wrong is often a reflection of the social contexts we inhabit. He states that 'moral formation is a communal process,' emphasizing the importance of relationships and cultural frameworks in shaping our values. This perspective challenges the notion of individualism prevalent in many contemporary discussions about identity. Smith's insights remain relevant today as they encourage a deeper understanding of how identity is formed and the role of society in this process. His work invites readers to consider the complexities of belonging and the impact of social dynamics on personal identity.

Quote collection

Christian Smith quotes

5 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Christian Smith Sociologist
Popular

"Human social life, I suggest, is the magma that erupts and builds up, so to speak, at the fault lines where natural human capacities meet and grind against and over natural human limitations…. This meeting of powers and limitations produces a creative, dynamic tension and energy that generates and fuels the making of human social life and social structures…. It is real human persons living through the tensions of natural existential contradictions who construct patterned social meanings, interactions, institutions, and structures."

Real Creative Fuel
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Christian Smith Sociologist
Popular

"The clergy profession is fundamentally self-defeating. Its stated purpose is to nurture spiritual maturity in the church - a valuable goal. In actuality, however; it accomplishes the opposite by nurturing a permanent dependence of the laity on the clergy. Clergy become to their congregations like parents whose children never grow up, like therapists whose clients never become healed, like teachers whose students never graduate."

Spiritual Teacher Children
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Christian Smith Sociologist
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"The problem is that, regardless of what our theologies tell us about the purpose of the clergy, the actual effect of the clergy profession is to make the body of Christ lame. This happens not because clergy intend it (they usually intend the opposite) but because the objective nature of the profession inevitably turns the laity into passive receivers."

Opposites Purpose Lame
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Christian Smith Sociologist
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"Evangelicals come from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, but nearly 90 percent of Americans who call themselves evangelicals are white."

White Backgrounds Percent
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Christian Smith Sociologist
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"Adults have their own issues and their own problems, which are understandable, and some adults are working through their own adolescent issues.-"

Issues Adults Problem
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