The term is also used in broader sociological discourse to describe religions once "dismissed as ghetto religion," such as . Historically, these were viewed as practices of the "uneducated poor" before gaining wider mainstream and middle-class acceptance in the late 20th century, as noted in reports by the New York Times .
: This study examines the religious structures and social functions of churches within impoverished Black urban communities (ghettos) in the mid-20th century. Ghetto Religion
: It explores how religion serves as both an "escape" and a "creative force" for individuals facing systemic deprivation. It analyzes the role of ritual, community identity, and the "expressive style" of ghetto cultural life in identity formation. The term is also used in broader sociological
The phrase is often associated with the doctoral dissertation and subsequent research titled by Theodore J. Baptiste (1970). : It explores how religion serves as both