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.
Evil
Evil
Introduction
As we saw earlier, some devout believers view difference as evil. Although not limited to any particular religion, it does tend to occur most frequently in the monotheistic traditions, beginning with Zoroastrianism and continuing in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition. Indeed, the concept of evil varies considerably from one religion to another, each conceptualization arising from the antisocial threats as perceived and experienced by each culture.
Most religions have some concept of evil. The Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition teaches a particular concept of evil with which we are most familiar. Whatever the exact notion, evil only becomes real within a social context. Without real-life referents, ideas remain vague and mysterious shades that never quite take material form. In order for evil to have meaning, it must be attached to ...
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