If I remember correctly, E.P. Thompson talked about the role of Methodism in the development of an English working class. Unlike what Michael hypothesizes, however, it was a Methodism opposed to dominant Anglican church. The difference is that in England, religion helps to constitute a real working class, while here, Evangelism gives expression to what might best be described as deformed class feeling.
Joel Blau
Devine, James wrote:
Michael Perelman writes: >Ordinary consumer behavior would suggest that the working-class people would want to partake of the same religion as their more affluent brethren.<
in _The Making of the English Working Class_, doesn't E.P. Thompson have a discussion of this? I don't remember what he said, though.
JD
