What happens when religions compete in modern societies? Does the competition lead to membership growth or a decline? Do religions have to work harder to get people in the pews?

Indiana University South Bend Sociology Professor Dan Olson will present his findings on religion and participation during the Faculty Research Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Room 1001, Wiekamp Hall, IU South Bend.

For years, sociologists thought that competition between religions a decline in faith and participation. More recently, other sociologists have countered that when religions must compete for membership, participation increases.

Olson will present 10 years worth of research, census data, surveys and information gathered from religious organizations to answer the question of competition and faith.

Olson has been a member of the IU South Bend faculty since 1989. He was a research fellow at Princeton University and at the Center for Social and Religious Research in Hartford. Conn. He is currently the president of the Religious Research Association.

He received his bachelor’s in sociology from Bethel College, St. Paul, Minn. and his master’s and doctorate from the University of Chicago.

Olson received a FACET (Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching) Award in 1997 from the university.

Olson studies the nature and impact of religious-based social ties, the growth and decline of religious congregations and the commitment levels of their members, religious differences and polarization in American politics, and religious pluralism and religious commitment.

His recently co-authored, with David Voas and Alasdair Crockett, the article, “Religious Pluralism and Participation: Why Previous Research is Wrong” for American Sociological Review and “Free and Cheap Riding in Strict, Conservative Churches” with Paul Perl for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

The event is free and open to the public.