Abstract
This trend report is based on an analysis of articles and reviews contain ed in 13 representative sociological journals (approximately 800 titles). General conclusions: the U.S.A. has the undisputed leadership in research, followed by France and the Netherlands. There tends to be a differentia tion and specialisation in studies; generally speaking as much attention is paid to the interior structure of the religious institutions as to the latter's relationships with other social institutions and groups. In the U.S.A. more attention is paid to external relations and they carry out work which relatively is closer to 'real' sociology of religion; in Europe, more emphasis is laid on examining the internal structures and hence more 'social-ecclesiastical' research is carried out.
An extensive review of the available literature shows the following items which are worthy of attention: the very interesting discussion of the basic theories behind the sociology of religion and of the socially dif ferentiating effects of membership of a Church in the U.S.A.; the change of emphasis from the question of recruitment to the priesthood to that of the position and role of the clergy at the present time; the two current lines in the sociology of ecclesiastical communities; and some very good studies concerning mixed marriages and the relationship between Church bodies and social stratification in the U.S.A.; the religions of minority groups, jews and negroes; and questions of interecclesiastical tensions and prejudice.
Sections where work still needs to be done include: the sociology of the ecclesiastical sytem of education and instruction, the liturgy, and the hierarchy. Moreover interconfessional relations, the relationship of denominations to social institutions — instruction and education, political structures, mass-communication — should receive more attention.
The review ends with a division of the historico-sociological studies according to theme, and the formulation of some general proposals.