Secularization : in defence of an unfashionable theory / Steve Bruce.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bruce, Steve, 1954-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Secularization (Theology).

Religion and sociology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 243 pages) ; illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Secularization remains one of the most hotly debated topics in the study of religion in modern societies. Steve Bruce elaborates the sociological secularization paradigm and defends it against a wide variety of recent attempts at rebuttal and refutation. The decline in power, popularity and prestige of religion across the modern world is not a short-term or localized trend nor is it an accident. It is a consequence of subtle but powerful features of modernization.Renowned sociologist, Steve Bruce, elaborates the secularization paradigm and defends it against a wide variety of recent attempts at rebuttal and refutation. Using the best available statistical and qualitative evidence Bruce considers the implications for the secularization paradigm of the extent to which new religious movements or New Age spiritualities are replacing religion; changes in the nature and power of folk religion and superstition; rational choice alternatives to thesecularization paradigm; the popularity and political influence of religion in the USA; religious change in the developing world; reactions to Islam in Europe; and the effects of recent controversies over the public place of religion. Bruce presents a robust defence of the secularization paradigm, clarifying its arguments for the benefit of all sides of the debate.

Contents:

1. Describing secularization

2. Explaining secularization

3. Clarifying secularization

4. Religion outside the churches

5. Contemporary spirituality

6. Superstition

7. The supply-side alternative

8. Unexceptional America

9. Secularization elsewhere

10. Will conflict reverse secularization?

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [224]-235) and index.

ISBN:

9780191612176

9780199654123

1-283-57719-4

9786613889645

0191612170

OCLC:

772845082