Full Description
Religion in Sociological Perspective, Eighth Edition introduces the systems of meaning, structure, and belonging that make up the complex social phenomena we know as religion. The author team uses an active learning approach to illustrate the central theories and methods of research in the sociology of religion and show students how to apply these analytical tools to new groups they encounter.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Part I: Introduction to the Sociology of Religion
Chapter 1: What Do We Mean by the Term Religion?
Substantive Definitions
Functional Definitions
A Symbolic Definition
Invisible Religion
Lived Religion
Spiritual but Not Religious?
The Concept of Religion as Employed in This Text
A Final Word About Definitions
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 2: Historical Development of the Sociology of Religion
The Classical Era
The Secularization Paradigm
New Religious Developments
New Paradigms
Neosecularization Theory
Future Prospects
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 3: A Social Scientific Approach to Studying Religion
The Sociological Approach to Studying Religion
Summary and Looking Forward
Part II: Religion in the Lives of Individuals
Chapter 4: Becoming and Being Religious
Religious Socialization and the Intergenerational Transmission of Religion
Religion Over the Life Course
Being Religious
Religious "Nones"
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 5: Religious Change: Conversion, Switching, and Leaving Religion
Conversion and the New Religious Movements
Process Models of Conversion
Religious Choices and Commitments: A Rational Choice Model
Religious Switching
Leaving Religion
Summary and Looking Forward
Part III: Organizing Religion
Chapter 6: Churches, Sects, Denominations, and "Cults"
Charisma and the Charismatic Leader
The Routinization of Charisma
Classifying Religious Organizations
The Church-Sect Typology
Denominationalism and the Denominational Society
Beyond Denominations?
New Religious Movements, a.k.a. "Cults"
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 7: Congregationalism and Congregations
Denominations and De Facto Congregationalism
Congregational Demography
What Do Congregations Do?
Megachurches
Multi-Site and Networked Religious Organizations
"New Paradigm" and "Seeker" Churches
Summary and Looking Forward
Part IV: Religion, Social Difference, and Inequality
Chapter 8: Religion, Economics, and Social Class
Religious Ethics and Economic Action
The Prosperity Gospel and Modern Capitalism
Religion and Work
Religion and Social Class Stratification
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 9: Religion and Race
Religion and Racial/Ethnic Prejudice
The Racialization of Religious Groups
Religion in the African American Community
Racial Segregation in Congregations
Explaining Congregational Racial Segregation
Race/Ethnicity and Religious Affiliation
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 10: Religion and Gender
Religion as a Gendered Social Institution
Gendered Religious Organizational Structures
Gendered Patterns of Religiosity
Negotiating Gender in Religious Communities
Gender Beyond Women
Gender Beyond Male and Female
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 11: Religion and Sexualities
Religion, Heteronormativity, and Homonegativity
Religious Divisions Over Same-Sex Marriage
LGBTQIA+ Clergy Controversies
Congregational Responses to Sexual Diversity
LGBTQIA+ Religious Identities and Practices
Summary and Looking Forward
Part V: Social Change and Religion
Chapter 12: Religion Outside the (God) Box
Religion and the "Old" Media
Religion and the "New Media"
Religion and Sport
Other Manifestations of Religion Outside Traditional God Boxes
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 13: Religion, Social Stability, and Social Conflict
Religion Functions to Provide Meaning and Belonging
Religion and Legitimation of the Social Order
Religion and Social Conflict
Religion: Opiate or Stimulant?
Summary and Looking Forward
Chapter 14: Globalization and Religion
Globalization of Religion
The Impact of Globalization on Religion
Transnational Religious Connections
Glocalization of Religions
Religion in Global Affairs
Summary and Looking Forward
Bibliography
