THE NEW BLACKWELL COMPANION TO THE Sociology of Religion "...I enjoyed reading this book for its in-depth examination of the complexities of the social forces that are shaping and are being shaped by religious groups around the world. I certainly see this being of theoretical value for researchers engaging the new religious realities of our world."
Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review
"... The new companion is a timely and valuable work, validly updating the original companion and a good addition to the reference shelves of any academic or specialist library."
Reference Reviews
Reflecting recent developments in the field, this companion provides a comprehensive introduction to the sociology of religion with a clear emphasis on comparative and historical approaches. Covering all the areas relevant to undergraduate courses in this area, the Companion begins by laying down the anthropological and sociological foundations of the study of religion and their contemporary developments. It continues with an analysis of both traditional and contemporary forms of organization, such as church-sect typologies as well as "megachurches" and modern forms of spirituality. The secularization and post-secular society debates are considered in depth along with the globalization process, fundamentalism, charismatic movements, and revivalism. It also discusses the sociology of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and religions of China, as well as the areas of American exceptionalism from de Tocqueville onwards, religious nationalism, women and piety movements, and the spirituality of Native American communities.
Considering new developments in social theory and religion, the collection concludes with a discussion of recent work that attempts to understand the future of religion, blending the sociology of modern societies, anthropological ethnography, and philosophical inquiry.
Notes on Contributors Introduction: Mapping the Sociology of Religion 1
Bryan S. Turner
Part I The Foundations 31
1 The Sociology of Religion: The Foundations 33
Andrew McKinnon
2 Durkheim and After: Religion, Culture, and Politics 52
William Ramp
3 The Functional Theory of Religion 76
Victor Lidz
4 Recent Developments in the Anthropology of Religion 103
Simon Coleman
Part II From Secularization to Resacralization 123
5 Secularization 125
Steve Bruce
6 American Exceptionalism? 141
John Torpey
7 Resacralization 160
Grace Davie
Part III New Developments 179
8 Rational Choice and the Sociology of Religion 181
David Lehmann
9 The Religious Habitus: Embodiment, Religion, and Sociological Theory 201
Philip A. Mellor and Chris Shilling
10 Women, Religions, and Feminisms 221
Fang-Long Shih
Part IV Institutionalization: Old and New Forms 245
11 New Research on Megachurches: Non-denominationalism and Sectarianism 247
Stephen Ellingson
12 The Sociology of Spirituality: Reflections on a Problematic Endeavor 267
Matthew Wood
13 Arguing against Darwinism: Religion, Science, and Public Morality 286
Michael S. Evans and John H. Evans
Part V Sociology of Comparative Religions 309
14 The Sociology of Early Christianity: From History to Theory, and Back Again 311
Joseph M. Bryant
15 Judaism: Covenant, Pluralism, and Piety 340
Alan Mittleman
16 Sociology and Anthropology of Islam: A Critical Debate 364
Gabriele Marranci
17 Approaches to the Study of Buddhism 388
Catherine Newell
18 Sociology of Hinduism 407
Pratap Kumar Penumala
19 Religious Awakening in China under Communist Rule: A Political Economy Approach 431
Fenggang Yang
20 Native American Religious Traditions: A Sociological Approach 456
Dennis F. Kelley
Part VI Globalization 475
21 Globalization and the Sociology of Religion 477
Lionel Obadia
22 Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements in a Global Perspective 498
Afe Adogame
23 Fundamentalism 519
Richard T. Antoun
24 Religion, Media, and Globalization 544
Jeremy Stolow
25 Toward a Sociology of Religious Commodification 563
Pattana Kitiarsa
26 Women and Piety Movements 584
Rachel Rinaldo
27 Religion and Nationalism: A Critical Re-examination 606
Geneviève Zubrzycki
Part VII The Future of Religion 627
28 The Future of Religion 629
Andrew Wernick
29 Religion in a Post-secular Society 649
Bryan S. Turner
Index 668
