Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion

by Johnstone, Ronald L.

• ISBN13: 9780130259714
• ISBN10: 0130259713
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

Using an unbiased, balanced approach, the 8th edition of" "this text puts religion in its social context by discussing the impact of society on religion while helpg readers understand the role and function of religion in society that occur "regardless" of anyone' s claims about the truth or falsity of religious systems.

Table of Contents

Preface	viii
PART I INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION
The Sociological Perspective	1	(19)
Characteristics of the Sociology of Religion	1	(2)
Central Sociological Assumptions	3	(3)
A Sociological Definition of Religion	6	(1)
The Characteristics of Religion	7	(6)
A Formal Definition of Religion	13	(1)
Application of the Definition	13	(4)
Final Reflection on the Definition of Religion	17	(1)
A Concluding Historical Note: The Development of the Sociology of Religion	17	(2)
Notes	19	(1)
The Sources of Religion	20	(15)
Revelation as Origin	21	(1)
The ``Natural-Knowledge-of-God'' Explanation	22	(1)
Anthropological Explanations	23	(2)
Psychological Explanations	25	(2)
Sociological Views	27	(6)
Conclusion	33	(1)
Notes	33	(2)
Religion as a Group Phenomenon	35	(18)
Religion and the Characteristics of a Group	35	(2)
Religion and the Five Functional Prerequisites of Group Life	37	(5)
The Effects of Increasing Group Size	42	(2)
The Bureaucratization of Religion	44	(4)
Religious Leadership	48	(3)
Notes	51	(2)
Becoming Religious	53	(31)
Elements in Religious Socialization	53	(2)
Methods of Religious Socialization	55	(2)
Measuring the Impact of Religious Socialization	57	(3)
Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: Group Affiliation	60	(3)
Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: The Individual Approach	63	(2)
Sociological Measures of Religiosity: Multidimensional Measures	65	(3)
Internalization of Religion	68	(4)
Religious Conversion	72	(4)
Deconversion	76	(2)
The Deprogramming Controversy	78	(2)
Conclusion	80	(1)
Notes	81	(3)
PART II RELIGION AS SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization	84	(26)
The Sect	84	(2)
The Church	86	(1)
The Denomination	87	(1)
The Formation of Sects	88	(2)
The Impact of Deprivation on Sect Development	90	(3)
The Evolution of Sects	93	(3)
The Institutionalized Sect	96	(3)
The Cult	99	(7)
Refinements of the Church-Sect Typology	106	(2)
Notes	108	(2)
Religious Conflict	110	(20)
Conflict Theory	110	(3)
Religious Conflict in History	113	(1)
Contemporary Examples of Religious Conflict	114	(5)
Intrareligious Conflict	119	(5)
Challenges to Society from Religious Groups	124	(4)
Conclusion	128	(1)
Notes	129	(1)
PART III RELIGION IN SOCIETY
Religious Politics	130	(24)
The Relationship of Religion and Politics	131	(2)
The Influence of Religion on Politics	133	(14)
Civil Religion	147	(3)
Religion and Politics in the Third World	150	(1)
Notes	151	(3)
Religious Fundamentalism	154	(27)
The Concept of Fundamentalism: Its Origin and Use	154	(4)
Protestant Fundamentalism	158	(12)
Jewish Fundamentalism	170	(3)
Islamic Fundamentalism	173	(4)
Conclusion	177	(1)
The Future	178	(1)
Notes	178	(3)
Religion and the Economy	181	(15)
Religion as an Economic Institution	181	(2)
Religion as a Shaper of Economic Attitudes and Behavior	183	(9)
An Assessment of the Relationship between Religion and Economics	192	(2)
Notes	194	(2)
Religion and the Class System	196	(21)
Differences in Religious Meaning and Expression among Social Classes	197	(2)
Differential Denominational Affiliation by Social Class	199	(7)
Social Stratification within Religious Groups	206	(1)
Stratification, Religion, and Race	207	(8)
Notes	215	(2)
Women and Religion	217	(41)
The Relationship of Women to Religion in Historical Perspective	217	(2)
The Historic Patterns	219	(6)
The Challenges to Traditional Patterns	225	(22)
Female-Dominated Religions	247	(3)
Predictions	250	(2)
Conclusion	252	(1)
Notes	253	(5)
PART IV RELIGION IN AMERICA
Major Historical Developments	258	(21)
Intolerant Beginnings	258	(2)
The Constitutional Compromise	260	(3)
The Frontier Challenge	263	(4)
The Ordeal of Pluralism	267	(4)
Religious Social Concern	271	(3)
The Post--World War II Revival	274	(3)
Notes	277	(2)
Black and Native American Religion in America	279	(31)
The Historical Development of the Black Church as a Social Institution	279	(7)
Militancy in the Black Church	286	(7)
New Themes in Black Religion	293	(4)
Postscript on African Americans and Other Religious Influences	297	(1)
Native American Religion	298	(8)
Notes	306	(4)
Denominational Society	310	(31)
The Multiplicity of Groups	310	(1)
The Diversity of Groups	311	(1)
Major Denominational Families	312	(15)
Special Interest Religious Groups	327	(1)
Ecumenism	328	(6)
The Continued Viability of Denominationalism	334	(4)
Notes	338	(3)
The Future of Religion	341	(27)
Level of Religious Activity	342	(2)
The Growth and Decline of Membership	344	(7)
Continuity in the Traditional Social Functions of Religion	351	(4)
The Factor of Secularization	355	(5)
The Conflict over the Purpose of Religion	360	(3)
Conclusion	363	(3)
Notes	366	(2)
Index	368