Summary
Contents
Subject index
Using a lively narrative, The Sociology of Religion is an insightful text that investigates the facts of religion in all its great diversity, including its practices and beliefs, and then analyzes actual examples of religious developments using relevant conceptual frameworks. As a result, students actively engage in the discovery, learning, and analytical processes as they progress through the text.
Organized around essential topics and real-life issues, this unique text examines religion both as an object of sociological analysis as well as a device for seeking personal meaning in life. The book provides sociological perspectives on religion while introducing students to relevant research from interdisciplinary scholarship. Sidebar features and photographs of religious figures bring the text to life for readers.
Key Features
Uses substantive and truly contemporary real-life religious issues of current interest to engage the reader in a way few other texts do; Combines theory with empirical examples drawn from the United States and around the world, emphasizing a critical and analytical perspective that encourages better understanding of the material presented; Features discussions of emergent religions, consumerism, and the link between religion, sports, and other forms of popular culture; Draws upon interdisciplinary literature, helping students appreciate the contributions of other disciplines while primarily developing an understanding of the sociology of religion
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Intended Audience
This core text is designed for upper-level undergraduate students of Sociology of Religion or Religion and Politics.
Religious Adaptation
Religious Adaptation
Introduction
This chapter builds on concepts from Robert K. Merton in order to understand alternative religious movements in comparison to established religion as a process of adaptation. Alternative religion occurs in a multitude of contexts, whether in the creation of evil, or during economic decline, or as a result of other major events that transform society and the corresponding religious beliefs. Just as tradition constitutes one essential aspect of religion, and we have seen examples of tradition at work, so alternative religion constitutes a decisive aspect of religion. Any religion that cannot change with the times and make sense of social change in the surrounding world will not survive. Religion not only responds to social events, but often actively shapes them as well.
Alternative ...
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