The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.

The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.

The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.

The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.

A collection of the themes that are important for today's sociology of religion... this volume is essential for anyone interested in religion's place in contemporary society - it answers many questions and raises many new ones The breadth of topics examined in this collection is evidence of James Beckford's many contributions to the sociology of religion and, more importantly, to advancing the argument that we cannot understand society---even presumably today's "secular" society - without some appreciation for the role of religion. A much deserved recognition. A fitting tribute to a distinguished career: this book is a celebration of James Beckford's lifelong endeavor to make religion central to social theory. An excellent collection of thoughtful and often innovative essays, from some of the best sociologists of religion, developing many of the important themes so masterfully treated in Jim Beckford's work. Chock full of helpful new insights; everyone in the sociology of religion will find something of interest and significance in this book. Befitting the career of James Beckford, this book contributes to a genuinely comparative sociology of religion

Spirituality is commonly neglected in contemporary sociology, and social reality is typically ignored in traditional theology. This book does just the opposite. It unites sociology and theology to lay the foundations for a sociotheology, an antidote to the failed paradigm of sociobiology so popular among modern social darwinists. It also exposes the limitations and flaws inherent in positivism and materialism, two philosophies which have dominated sociology for the past two centuries and, consequently, rendered social science largely inconsequential. Our conflicted times call for a new paradigm, one which restores the spiritual to its proper place in analysis of human behavior and social institutions. This book answers that call. Social Spirituality: A Sociology of The Spirit is only a beginning, a modest one, in exploring spirituality as a social force and restoring the inherent unity between sociology and theology. Though composed in a relatively short time span during the summer of 2005, this pioneering text represents the distillation of critical thought on society and religion gathered over many years of teaching sociology, preaching Christianity, and reaching for the truth in doing both. There is likely something in it to disturb, even offend, just about any political persuasion masquerading as religious conviction, for among its primary targets are hypocrisy and dogma. What the book aspires to reveal is truth about the human condition. And the truth, unlike academic departments and religious denominations seeking its revelation and transmission, is not compartmentalized and segmented into operational boxes convenient to bureaucracy. Nor is the truth monopolized by religion orscience. Yet a combination of the two, one which transcends traditional conceptual limitations imposed upon both by their conventional custodians, opens up new and exciting avenues of inquiry and insight. Such is the spiritual journey of intellectual exploration offered by this pioneering text. That fact alone separates this analysis of society from standard ones which clutter countless bookshelves in academe and bookstores in malls. It starts from the simple and sublime premise that humans are triune - body, mind and soul; and that to try to understand human behavior and ignore the spiritual is to embark upon the impossible. Accordingly, each chapter devotes itself to an analysis of the conflict between The Spirit and antispirit in society and its institutions. The socialization process, which is analyzed in the chapter on 'The Divine Child," is envisioned as a lifelong unfolding of spirituality identified as 'the seven days of spiritualization (majesty, security, creativity, productivity, intimacy, magnanimity, and mystery). The chapter on 'The Spiritual Self" goes beyond symbolic interactionism to understand not only the emergence of the mind from a brain but also the awakening of the soul in an individual. The chapter focusing on the family offers the concept of 'the essential family" as an illuminating alternative to nuclear family or traditional family. A host of social problems endemic to modern society which range from political corruption to vulture culture are thoroughly analyzed as a spiritual crisis in the chapter entitled 'The Spirit in Struggle." Particular attention is given to the current crisis in Christianity in American society. A chapter is devoted to a detailed andhighly critical analysis of 'Christianity in Reverse" with its contemporary heresies of Christian Nationalism, Christian Zionism, Christian Narcissism, and Christian Fascism. A subsequent chapter focuses on 'The Social Gospel" and its foundational principles of liberation, solidarity, compassion, social conversion, social justice, world peace, universal truth and agape love. The text concludes with a call for child supremacy as the hallmark of the coming supreme society and as a much-needed antidote to the violent supremacy of race, sex or

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 Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries! Instructor Resources on CD contain chapter outlines, summaries, multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and short answer questions as well as illustrations from the book. C Intended Audience This core text is designed for upper-level undergraduate students of Sociology of Religion or Religion and Politics.