Global Religious Movements in Regional Context offers a wide-ranging exploration of the adaptation and diversity of religious traditions in various geographical, cultural and ethnic contexts within the contemporary world. The book analyses the complexities of the relationships between religion and globalization, and general trends and counter-trends in secularization. It argues that religions that 'go global' cannot remain unchanged by their importation into new cultures, and explores the creative tension between indigenization and a sense of global identity. The chapters focus on Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity in the UK, the USA, Latin America and Africa, as well as the world-wide spread of Islam and of the Japanese-derived Buddhist movement, the Soka Gakkai. The five textbooks and Reader that make up the Religion Today Open University/Ashgate series are: o From Sacred Text to Internet o Religion and Social Transformations o Perspectives on Civil Religion o Global Religious Movements in Regional Context o Belief Beyond Boundaries o Religion Today: A Reader

From global missionizing among proselytic faiths to mass migration through religious diasporas, religion has traveled from one side of the world and back again. It continues to play a prominent role in shaping world politics and has been a vital force in the continued emergence, spread, and creation of a transnational civil society. Exploring how religious roots are shaping organizations that seek to aid people across political and geographic boundaries - 'service movements' - this book focuses on how religious movements establish structures to assist people with basic human needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health. Examining a multitude of faith traditions with origins in different parts of the world, seven contributing chapters, with an introduction and conclusions by the senior author, offer a unique discussion of the intersections between religious transnationalism and social movements.

In his exploration of the interaction between religion and worldwide social and cultural change, the author examines the major theories of global change and discusses the ways in which such change impinges on contemporary religious practice, meaning and influence. Beyer explores some of the key issues in understanding the shape of religion today, including religion as culture and as social system, pure and applied religion, privatized and publicly influential religion, and liberal versus conservative religions. He goes on to apply these issues to five contemporary illustrative cases: the American Christian Right; Liberation Theology movements in Latin America; the Islamic Revolution in Iran; Zionists in Israel; and religiou

This volume provides a complete guide to the global impact and cultural significance of new religious movements.

This title was first published in 2002: Global Religious Movements in Regional Context offers a wide-ranging exploration of the adaptation and diversity of religious traditions in various geographical, cultural and ethnic contexts within the contemporary world. The book analyses the complexities of the relationships between religion and globalization, and general trends and counter-trends in secularization. It argues that religions that 'go global' cannot remain unchanged by their importation into new cultures, and explores the creative tension between indigenization and a sense of global identity. The chapters focus on Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity in the UK, the USA, Latin America and Africa, as well as the worldwide spread of Islam and of the Japanese-derived Buddhist movement, the Soka Gakkai. The five textbooks and Reader that make up the Religion Today Open University/Ashgate series are: o From Sacred Text to Internet o Religion and Social Transformations o Perspectives on Civil Religion o Global Religious Movements in Regional Context o Belief Beyond Boundaries o Religion Today: A Reader

This substantial volume of thirty-three original chapters covers the full range of issues in religious diversity. An indispensable guide for scholars and students, its essays make novel contributions and are crafted by recognized experts who represent a wide variety of religious and philosophical perspectives and backgrounds.

"This title was first published in 2002: Global Religious Movements in Regional Context offers a wide-ranging exploration of the adaptation and diversity of religious traditions in various geographical, cultural and ethnic contexts within the contemporary world. The book analyses the complexities of the relationships between religion and globalization, and general trends and counter-trends in secularization. It argues that religions that 'go global' cannot remain unchanged by their importation into new cultures, and explores the creative tension between indigenization and a sense of global identity. The chapters focus on Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity in the UK, the USA, Latin America and Africa, as well as the worldwide spread of Islam and of the Japanese-derived Buddhist movement, the Soka Gakkai. The five textbooks and Reader that make up the Religion Today Open University/Ashgate series are: o From Sacred Text to Internet o Religion and Social Transformations o Perspectives on Civil Religion o Global Religious Movements in Regional Context o Belief Beyond Boundaries o Religion Today: A Reader"--Provided by publisher.