The Sociology of Religion; A Substantive and Transdisciplinary Approach

by George Lundskow

• ISBN13: 9781412937214
• ISBN10: 1412937213
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-06-10
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Most Sociology of Religion texts are decidedly staid and uninteresting, covering 'œcontemporary' developments which are only contemporary only from a disciplinary perspective. They are not contemporary if viewed from the perspective of the religion's practioners (in religious and non-religious settings). The textbooks that attempt to be interesting to undergraduate students often fall short because they either try to cover too much in an encyclopedic format, or sacrifice a sociological perspective for a personal one. Many use real-life examples only superficially to illustrate concepts. Lundskow's approach is the opposite-students will learn the facts of religion in its great diversity, all the most interesting and compelling beliefs and practices, and then learn relevant concepts that can be used to explain empirical observations. The book thus follows the logic of actual research-investigate and then analyze-rather than approaching concepts with no real bearing on how religion is experienced in society. This approach, using provocative examples and with an eye toward the historical and theoretical, not to mention global experience of religion, will make this book a success in the classroom. The author envisions a substantive approach that examines religion as it actually exists in all its forms, including belief, ritual, daily living, identity, institutions, social movements, social control, and social change. Within these broad categories, the book will devote particular chapters to important historical moments and movements, leaders, and various individual religions that have shaped the contemporary form and effect of religion in the world today.

Table of Contents

Theory

Sociological Theory and Religion

Death and the Meaning of Life

Classical Theory

Emile Durkheim

Karl Marx

Max Weber

The Protestant Ethic and the Rise of Capitalism

Charisma

Of Priests and Prophets-Establishment versus Charisma

Middle Sociology-World War II and its Aftermath

Race: The Great Religious Divider in the United States

The Evil Enemy

Women as Other

Religion after World War II

Theory and Religion Today

References and Further Reading

A Sociological History of Religion

Section i ?Premodern Religion

The Dawn of Religion

Social Change and two Great Shifts

Polytheism

Inclusive Monotheism (Henotheism)

Exclusive Monotheism

Transition from Paganism to Christianity

What Happened to Paganism?

The Role of Class

The Role of Culture

The Engines of Religious Change

The Medieval Period

Schism and Crusades

Early Modern Period

The Witch Craze

Rise and Transformation of the Work Ethic

Religion in Modern Times

Modern Times

Vital Religious Experience and Personal Volition: The First and Second Great Awakenings

Religion and Race: Slavery and Its Aftermath

American Evangelicalism

The Rise of Progressivism and Fundamentalism

Religion and the Rise of Modern Manhood

Progressivism

American Innovation: The Democratization of Religion

The Twentieth Century

Civil Rights and the Vietnam War

Fundamentalist Resurgence

Religion after the Cold War

Religion Today and in the Near Future

References

Superstition and the Supernatural

Introduction

Sparta and Athens

The Virgin Mary in a Small German Village

Witches and the Devil in Salem

Discussion

References

Alternative Religion

Introduction

Analytical Concepts

On the Ambiguity, Ambivalence, and Vacancy of the Self in Modern Life

Conformity-The Case of the Latter-day Churches

Innovation-The Case of Unitarian Universalism

Ritualism-The Case of Roman Catholic Traditionalism

Retreatism-Voudou in the New World

Caribbean Variations

Cuba

Haiti

Revolution-The Case of Native-American Resistance

References and Further Reading

Religious Intolerance and Violence

Introduction

Exclusive Monotheism

Icons-Intolerance of Religious Imagery

The Cathars-Intolerance of Heresy

Discussion

Violence and Intolerance in Modern Times

Fundamentalism

Islam

Women's Fundamentalism in the Middle East

Christianity

Fundamentalism in the US-The Christian Right

Christian Violence

Hinduism

Discussion

Authoritarianism

Conclusions

References

Evil

Sociological Relevance

Evil Around the World

Polynesia

Vedism

China and Japan

Native America

The Persians

Co-Discussion-"Gods and Devils" by Mark P. Worrell

References and Further Reading

Cults

Introduction

Millerites

Branch Davidians-From Alternative Religion to Cult

Charles Manson and the Family

Degradation Rituals-The Process of Cult Initiation

The Leader and the Message

Heaven's Gate

Discussion-What Cults Really Are

References and Further Reading

Emergent Religion

Introduction

Revival and Emergence

Neopaganism

Beliefs and History

Margot Adler

Starhawk

Ethnographic Testimonies-Original Research

New Evangelicalism

Comparisons

The Differences

References and Further Reading

Globalization

Introduction

Haré Krishna-Indian Religion Arrives in the US

Pentecostalism

Roman Catholicism

Global Clashes-Russia

Poland

Co-Discussion-Catholic Fundamentalism in Poland by Agnieszka Koscianska

Co-Discussion-"I'm Muslim by God's Grace; I'm Gay by God's Grace": Reconciling a Queer Muslim Identity in America by Mahruq Khan

Types of Religious Experience

References and Further Reading

Religion Beyond Religion

Introduction

Heavy Metal Hierophany

On the Road-A Journey of Discovery

Metal and Goths-Contrasts

Sports

Branding

Jesus, CEO

Co-Discussion-God the Economist?

Economics and Religion in an Inter-Faith Business Organization by Sadie Pendaz

References and Further Reading

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