Stroup (1962), reflecting on the beginnings of the profession, described
social work in its infancy as a cause, with either applied religious or secular
humanist roots. He contrasted this with the social work of his time, which he
characterized as a function, playing a scientific part within the field of
community forces. Cohen (1958) made the case for the primary influence
of secular humanism in the formation of early social work. Stroup, though
acknowledging the role of secular humanism and sourcing it for the “present
cleavage between social work and religion” (p. 92), presents the case for the
strong role of religion in the early days of social work.