Secularization and its discontents
By: Rob Warner
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2010
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 221
ISBN-13: 9781441155436; 9781441127853
Subjects: Secularization; Religion and sociology
Description: "Secularization and Its Discontents provides an illuminating overview of major current debates in the sociology of religion, exploring changing patterns of religious practice in the West during the past 150 years. Examining classical secularization theory as well as modified versions that allow for difference between national and social contexts, Rob Warner also explores the proposed post-secularization paradigm, as well as its close offshoot, rational choice theory. Possibilities for a spiritual revolution and the feminisation of religion are scrutinised, and also theories of the durability of conservative religion. The author goes on to develop a new interpretation of resilient religion from an analysis of 21st century trends in religious participation. These are categorised as entrepreneurial and experiential-therapeutic, before the volume finally focuses upon individual identity construction through autonomous religious consumption. This book provides a clear and penetrating overview of theoretical frameworks and develops a new theoretical synthesis derived from fresh examination of empirical data, and will be of interest to academics and students in religious studies, practical theology and the sociology of religion."--Bloomsbury Publishing.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [188]-210) and index.
Table of contents: title: Classical secularization theory; title: Modified secularization theory; title: American rejections of secularization theory; title: Is there a spiritual revolution?; title: The durability of conservative religion : American and British perspectives; title: Resilient religion : emerging transatlantic and global trends.