old-time religion
Grandparents' church ways
Old-time religion refers to traditional, conservative religious faith and practice, especially Protestant Christianity as practiced in earlier American generations.
The phrase evokes fervent worship, literal biblical interpretation, and resistance to modern theological liberalism.
It carries nostalgic connotations—the faith of one's parents and grandparents: Give me that old-time religion, it's good enough for me.
The term can be used approvingly by believers or dismissively by critics.
- revivalismMovement rekindling religious passion
- tent revivalOutdoor religious gathering under canvas
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- camp meetingsOutdoor Protestant worship gatherings
- gospel musicChristian songs with strong harmony
tradition · altar calls · come to Jesus · born again · hymnals · church bells · shape-note singing · repentance · sawdust trail · Great Awakening · sanctification · prayer meetings · morality · community values · grace · sin · potluck dinners · simplicity
- Christianesealtar call, backslider, blessed, born again, churched
old-time religioncontemporary worship
Current-era religious music
prosperity gospel · spiritual but not religious · secular humanism · televangelism
old-time religionatheism
Rejection of deities
secular humanism · agnosticism · irreligion · secularism · demythologization
older, oldest, olden, time, times, timed, timing, timely, timeless