Stanley A. Steward

Where Sin Abounds: a Religious History of Las Vegas Stanley A. Steward

Las Vegas has long been characterized as "Sin City" It is a common assumption of many outsiders that Las Vegas is a spiritual wasteland, devoid of any significant religious community and bereft of traditional values. This is most certainly not the case! In fact, Las Vegas has a strong, healthy, and growing religious dimension. Within this milieu is a strong and rapidly expanding Pentecostal dimension to the city's profile of faith. The Pentecostals in Las Vegas are a microcosm of Pentecostalism both nationally and globally. On the whole, this expression of Christian faith is certainly among the fastest growing religions in the world. Some sociologists and demographics experts identify Evangelicals and Pentecostals as the emerging religious majority in America's future. Most mainstream denominations are in decline, but Pentecostals continue to grow both in numbers and influence. This book will explore and analyze several local Pentecostal congregations and the dynamic relationship between the church and the "Strip" It will focus on the interplay between one of America's most devout religious subcultures and one its most secular cities.