The twenty-first century confronts its gods : globalization, technology, and war / edited by David J. Hawkin.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Hawkin, David J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Globalization--Religious aspects.

Globalization.

Technology--Religious aspects.

Technology.

War--Religious aspects.

War.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (231 p.)

Other Title:

21st century confronts its gods

Place of Publication:

Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, c2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book penetrates the assumptions of Western technological society and exposes the powers that govern it. The contributors argue that it is a mistake to think that religion and belief have been relegated to the private sphere and are no longer important in the public and political domains. They assert that the twenty-first century has a set of new godsthe powers of globalization, technology, the market, and military mightthat reign alongside those of traditional religions. These are the forces to which the modern era has granted ultimacy. This book looks at how major religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism play an important role in politics and society on both the global and local levels. The new gods of technology, globalization, and war are shown to exacerbate the existing cultural divisions and religious strife that mark our time. By understanding the importance of that which is held sacred, whether traditional belief or modern practice not acknowledged as belief, the contributors help us to comprehend our present situation and challenges.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

New Gods for Old?

Introduction

The Origins of Modernity and the Technological Society

Religion, Risk, and the Technological Society

Nature and Community in the Global Market

Media Technology and the Future of Religions

The West Against the Rest?

Gods of War?

Terrorism

Islam and the Politics of Violence

Disarming Phineas

Hindutva and the Rhetoric of Violence

Buddhism and Violence in Modernity

The Ascension of Mars and the Salvation of the Modern World

Contributors

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780791484616

0791484610

9781423740032

1423740033

OCLC:

62756136