Gary Adler
@garyadler.bsky.social
Sociologist of culture, religion, civil society, and law. Love mixing the methods. @PSUsoccrim
Current project: religion-state relations and local government.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=xHfWZUgAAAAJ
*Views expressed are my own*
Current project: religion-state relations and local government.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=xHfWZUgAAAAJ
*Views expressed are my own*
I'll get there sometime, I promise!
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 PM
I'll get there sometime, I promise!
Research + teaching + student = great partnership. Also why I love my job @pennstateuniv.bsky.social
Keep an eye on @ienesatac.bsky.social!
It was a fun weekend at @sssreligion.bsky.social
Keep an eye on @ienesatac.bsky.social!
It was a fun weekend at @sssreligion.bsky.social
Thrilled to share that our paper (w/ @garyadler.bsky.social) in Social Forces, “Religious Rebound, Political Backlash, and the Youngest Cohort: Understanding Religious Change in Turkey,” received the Distinguished Article Award from @sssreligion.bsky.social!
November 3, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Research + teaching + student = great partnership. Also why I love my job @pennstateuniv.bsky.social
Keep an eye on @ienesatac.bsky.social!
It was a fun weekend at @sssreligion.bsky.social
Keep an eye on @ienesatac.bsky.social!
It was a fun weekend at @sssreligion.bsky.social
Reposted by Gary Adler
Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino took the extraordinary step of formally excusing parishioners in his diocese from the obligation of attending mass weekly - because of the possibility immigration officers would seize people coming to or from church.
A Religious Rebellion Against Mass Deportation
American Christians are showing increasing discomfort with Trump’s signature policy.
www.thebulwark.com
July 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino took the extraordinary step of formally excusing parishioners in his diocese from the obligation of attending mass weekly - because of the possibility immigration officers would seize people coming to or from church.
This makes sense given the demographic and political differences in Catholic pews. But it's a pragmatic reversal from the "fortnight for freedom" stuff. In the 1980s, the Church encouraged a "both sides doctrine" for candidate visits.
My thoughts on this topic...
bsky.app/profile/gary...
My thoughts on this topic...
bsky.app/profile/gary...
Big news on the "Johnson Amendment" (!, ?)
A collapse of the wall between church and state? A new plank in the floor of religious liberty?
Observations from a sociologist of religion....
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
A collapse of the wall between church and state? A new plank in the floor of religious liberty?
Observations from a sociologist of religion....
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
www.nytimes.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This makes sense given the demographic and political differences in Catholic pews. But it's a pragmatic reversal from the "fortnight for freedom" stuff. In the 1980s, the Church encouraged a "both sides doctrine" for candidate visits.
My thoughts on this topic...
bsky.app/profile/gary...
My thoughts on this topic...
bsky.app/profile/gary...
8.) Random thoughts #2
-cities are experimenting with ways for religious non-profits to contribute to public budgets. Like parcel fees or use fees. Maybe more of this to come if religious orgs are seen as partisan and partial?
-cities are experimenting with ways for religious non-profits to contribute to public budgets. Like parcel fees or use fees. Maybe more of this to come if religious orgs are seen as partisan and partial?
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
8.) Random thoughts #2
-cities are experimenting with ways for religious non-profits to contribute to public budgets. Like parcel fees or use fees. Maybe more of this to come if religious orgs are seen as partisan and partial?
-cities are experimenting with ways for religious non-profits to contribute to public budgets. Like parcel fees or use fees. Maybe more of this to come if religious orgs are seen as partisan and partial?
7.) Random thoughts #1
-the IRS "began" non-enforcement of the Johnson Amendment decades ago...enabling the 1980s rise of wealthy preachers and partisan mobilization. An example of how the "free market of religion" produces bad religion? social conflict?
-the IRS "began" non-enforcement of the Johnson Amendment decades ago...enabling the 1980s rise of wealthy preachers and partisan mobilization. An example of how the "free market of religion" produces bad religion? social conflict?
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
7.) Random thoughts #1
-the IRS "began" non-enforcement of the Johnson Amendment decades ago...enabling the 1980s rise of wealthy preachers and partisan mobilization. An example of how the "free market of religion" produces bad religion? social conflict?
-the IRS "began" non-enforcement of the Johnson Amendment decades ago...enabling the 1980s rise of wealthy preachers and partisan mobilization. An example of how the "free market of religion" produces bad religion? social conflict?
6.) What shenanigans to come?
-SC jurists will find a way to justify this as "treat religion like everyone else"....while also allowing religious orgs to avoid taxes, not follow employment law, etc.
-big religious organizations will become a hole for dark money political contributions.
-SC jurists will find a way to justify this as "treat religion like everyone else"....while also allowing religious orgs to avoid taxes, not follow employment law, etc.
-big religious organizations will become a hole for dark money political contributions.
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
6.) What shenanigans to come?
-SC jurists will find a way to justify this as "treat religion like everyone else"....while also allowing religious orgs to avoid taxes, not follow employment law, etc.
-big religious organizations will become a hole for dark money political contributions.
-SC jurists will find a way to justify this as "treat religion like everyone else"....while also allowing religious orgs to avoid taxes, not follow employment law, etc.
-big religious organizations will become a hole for dark money political contributions.
5.) A few more (worrisome) reasons why this WILL change a lot:
-partisanship reduces trust in organized religion as a social good. Rough seas ahead.
-undergirds the implicit idea of non-profit organizations as benefitting the public, writ large. The downfall of non-profits ahead?
-partisanship reduces trust in organized religion as a social good. Rough seas ahead.
-undergirds the implicit idea of non-profit organizations as benefitting the public, writ large. The downfall of non-profits ahead?
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
5.) A few more (worrisome) reasons why this WILL change a lot:
-partisanship reduces trust in organized religion as a social good. Rough seas ahead.
-undergirds the implicit idea of non-profit organizations as benefitting the public, writ large. The downfall of non-profits ahead?
-partisanship reduces trust in organized religion as a social good. Rough seas ahead.
-undergirds the implicit idea of non-profit organizations as benefitting the public, writ large. The downfall of non-profits ahead?
4.) A few reasons why this WILL change a lot:
-gives a minority of congregations--which are the anchor of Christian Nationalism--license for more partisanship.
-gives a minority of liberal congregations a legal way to defend their partisanship.
-gives a minority of congregations--which are the anchor of Christian Nationalism--license for more partisanship.
-gives a minority of liberal congregations a legal way to defend their partisanship.
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
4.) A few reasons why this WILL change a lot:
-gives a minority of congregations--which are the anchor of Christian Nationalism--license for more partisanship.
-gives a minority of liberal congregations a legal way to defend their partisanship.
-gives a minority of congregations--which are the anchor of Christian Nationalism--license for more partisanship.
-gives a minority of liberal congregations a legal way to defend their partisanship.
3.) A few more (problematic) reasons this will NOT change much:
-partisan politics were already translated into "moral issues" in religious orgs
-partisan religious congregations were already doing political speech...just not overtly from the pulpit. Side conversations. Not mention candidates. Etc.
-partisan politics were already translated into "moral issues" in religious orgs
-partisan religious congregations were already doing political speech...just not overtly from the pulpit. Side conversations. Not mention candidates. Etc.
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
3.) A few more (problematic) reasons this will NOT change much:
-partisan politics were already translated into "moral issues" in religious orgs
-partisan religious congregations were already doing political speech...just not overtly from the pulpit. Side conversations. Not mention candidates. Etc.
-partisan politics were already translated into "moral issues" in religious orgs
-partisan religious congregations were already doing political speech...just not overtly from the pulpit. Side conversations. Not mention candidates. Etc.
2.) A few reasons for why this IRS rule will NOT change much:
-most clergy and most Americans don't want partisan speech from religious organizations.
-the IRS wasn't enforced the rules anyhow, so no "handcuffs are off" effect coming
-most clergy and most Americans don't want partisan speech from religious organizations.
-the IRS wasn't enforced the rules anyhow, so no "handcuffs are off" effect coming
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
2.) A few reasons for why this IRS rule will NOT change much:
-most clergy and most Americans don't want partisan speech from religious organizations.
-the IRS wasn't enforced the rules anyhow, so no "handcuffs are off" effect coming
-most clergy and most Americans don't want partisan speech from religious organizations.
-the IRS wasn't enforced the rules anyhow, so no "handcuffs are off" effect coming
1.) IRS now creates a distinction between "internal" and "external" speech in religious orgs. This is nonsensical. The Tocqueville school sees the social power of religious orgs based in the internal becoming external. Only sectarian orgs separate the two. There are few of them.
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
1.) IRS now creates a distinction between "internal" and "external" speech in religious orgs. This is nonsensical. The Tocqueville school sees the social power of religious orgs based in the internal becoming external. Only sectarian orgs separate the two. There are few of them.
Big news on the "Johnson Amendment" (!, ?)
A collapse of the wall between church and state? A new plank in the floor of religious liberty?
Observations from a sociologist of religion....
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
A collapse of the wall between church and state? A new plank in the floor of religious liberty?
Observations from a sociologist of religion....
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
www.nytimes.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Big news on the "Johnson Amendment" (!, ?)
A collapse of the wall between church and state? A new plank in the floor of religious liberty?
Observations from a sociologist of religion....
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
A collapse of the wall between church and state? A new plank in the floor of religious liberty?
Observations from a sociologist of religion....
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
In the early days of examining superintendent opinions on religion in schools, a perpetual headline grabber. Check it out....
Big support for studying religion and supporting student religious practice.
Big skepticism of teacher-led religious activity
Big support for studying religion and supporting student religious practice.
Big skepticism of teacher-led religious activity
June 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
In the early days of examining superintendent opinions on religion in schools, a perpetual headline grabber. Check it out....
Big support for studying religion and supporting student religious practice.
Big skepticism of teacher-led religious activity
Big support for studying religion and supporting student religious practice.
Big skepticism of teacher-led religious activity
First paper from our American Local Leaders Survey, a representative survey of county, municipal, and school district officials done with @mayrl.bsky.social @jonathancoley.bsky.social rebecca sager and eric plutzer.
June 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
First paper from our American Local Leaders Survey, a representative survey of county, municipal, and school district officials done with @mayrl.bsky.social @jonathancoley.bsky.social rebecca sager and eric plutzer.
One cool trick to increasing trust in elections and government: make everyone a public official.
Okay, maybe not, but still our new paper shows that local officials trust elections more. Why? Partly because they have a lot of social trust.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Okay, maybe not, but still our new paper shows that local officials trust elections more. Why? Partly because they have a lot of social trust.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Confidence in elections among U.S. local officials: Effects of social trust, partisanship and political ambition
The U.S. public’s confidence in elections is intensively studied in the last decade but little is known about election confidence among locally elected officials, whose roles and community status may ...
dx.plos.org
June 30, 2025 at 11:43 AM
One cool trick to increasing trust in elections and government: make everyone a public official.
Okay, maybe not, but still our new paper shows that local officials trust elections more. Why? Partly because they have a lot of social trust.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Okay, maybe not, but still our new paper shows that local officials trust elections more. Why? Partly because they have a lot of social trust.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Reposted by Gary Adler
Read the piece to learn about how:
· USCCB fracturing over advocacy is a big deal, signaling just how much Trump/GOP's policies have pushed bishops
· It's a slow-burn result of Francis-aligned clerics finding a voice outside the USCCB
· It all adds to widespread religious opposition to Trump
· USCCB fracturing over advocacy is a big deal, signaling just how much Trump/GOP's policies have pushed bishops
· It's a slow-burn result of Francis-aligned clerics finding a voice outside the USCCB
· It all adds to widespread religious opposition to Trump
NEW from @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social and myself: In an unusual public display of disagreement within the U.S. Catholic bishops conference, prelates signed dueling letters Thursday criticizing the GOP budget bill.
Religious criticism of the bill continues to grow. religionnews.com/2025/06/27/i...
Religious criticism of the bill continues to grow. religionnews.com/2025/06/27/i...
In rare move, Catholic leaders issue dueling letters criticizing GOP budget bill
(RNS) — The US Conference of Catholic Bishops took a firm but mixed approach to the bill, while other Catholic leaders signed an interfaith letter asking senators to oppose the bill.
religionnews.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Read the piece to learn about how:
· USCCB fracturing over advocacy is a big deal, signaling just how much Trump/GOP's policies have pushed bishops
· It's a slow-burn result of Francis-aligned clerics finding a voice outside the USCCB
· It all adds to widespread religious opposition to Trump
· USCCB fracturing over advocacy is a big deal, signaling just how much Trump/GOP's policies have pushed bishops
· It's a slow-burn result of Francis-aligned clerics finding a voice outside the USCCB
· It all adds to widespread religious opposition to Trump
Deep dive into Pope Leo's immigrant roots and racial identity. The type of story that is being purposefully erased in the US today.
Pope Leo XIV’s link to Haiti is part of a broader American story of race, citizenship and migration theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv...
Pope Leo XIV’s link to Haiti is part of a broader American story of race, citizenship and migration theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv...
Pope Leo XIV’s link to Haiti is part of a broader American story of race, citizenship and migration
Repelled by American racism, thousands of free people of color bounced between New Orleans and Haiti in the 19th century.
theconversation.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Deep dive into Pope Leo's immigrant roots and racial identity. The type of story that is being purposefully erased in the US today.
Pope Leo XIV’s link to Haiti is part of a broader American story of race, citizenship and migration theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv...
Pope Leo XIV’s link to Haiti is part of a broader American story of race, citizenship and migration theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv...
Yes, definitely. It's an early attempt at a purported "third way" for Catholicism. But, pedagogically at least, students were surprised at the rhetoric.
May 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Yes, definitely. It's an early attempt at a purported "third way" for Catholicism. But, pedagogically at least, students were surprised at the rhetoric.
First encyclical to (begrudgingly) deal with all things modern. Labor unions, fair wages, social welfare, etc.
I used to clip quotes from this and ask students who wrote it. Most guessed Karl Marx.
I used to clip quotes from this and ask students who wrote it. Most guessed Karl Marx.
May 8, 2025 at 9:15 PM
First encyclical to (begrudgingly) deal with all things modern. Labor unions, fair wages, social welfare, etc.
I used to clip quotes from this and ask students who wrote it. Most guessed Karl Marx.
I used to clip quotes from this and ask students who wrote it. Most guessed Karl Marx.
Want to know why being the name Leo 14 is such a big deal?
Look was Leo 13 was up to....
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
Look was Leo 13 was up to....
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
Rerum
Novarum (May 15, 1891) | LEO XIII
Encyclical Rerum Novarum of Leo XIII, 15 May 1891
www.vatican.va
May 8, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Want to know why being the name Leo 14 is such a big deal?
Look was Leo 13 was up to....
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
Look was Leo 13 was up to....
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
I'm neither Bishop nor Cardinal but, in case anyone was wondering, I also disapproved.
May 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I'm neither Bishop nor Cardinal but, in case anyone was wondering, I also disapproved.
Reposted by Gary Adler
ICE agents are lawless, sociopathic shitbirds. Treat every one you encounter accordingly.
Please highlight this story.
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
kfor.com
April 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
ICE agents are lawless, sociopathic shitbirds. Treat every one you encounter accordingly.
Really angered to hear this. I'm waiting to hear too....
April 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Really angered to hear this. I'm waiting to hear too....
Assuming there is a religion angle here, too. See Jack Jeckins' piece about her past leading Catholic Charities.
As this goes through court, will her religious liberty claim be made....and hear?
As this goes through court, will her religious liberty claim be made....and hear?
April 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Assuming there is a religion angle here, too. See Jack Jeckins' piece about her past leading Catholic Charities.
As this goes through court, will her religious liberty claim be made....and hear?
As this goes through court, will her religious liberty claim be made....and hear?