A Sociology of Spirituality

A Sociology of Spirituality

Author: Peter C. Jupp

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-03-16

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13: 131718663X

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The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.


Book Synopsis A Sociology of Spirituality by : Peter C. Jupp

Download or read book A Sociology of Spirituality written by Peter C. Jupp and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-03-16 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.


Social Spirituality

Social Spirituality

Author: Werner Lange

Publisher: Xlibris Corp

Published: 2005-10-27

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13: 9781599265452

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Spirituality is commonly neglected in contemporary sociology, and social reality is typically ignored in traditional theology. This book does just the opposite. It unites sociology and theology to lay the foundations for a sociotheology, an antidote to the failed paradigm of sociobiology so popular among modern social darwinists. It also exposes the limitations and flaws inherent in positivism and materialism, two philosophies which have dominated sociology for the past two centuries and, consequently, rendered social science largely inconsequential. Our conflicted times call for a new paradigm, one which restores the spiritual to its proper place in analysis of human behavior and social institutions. This book answers that call. Social Spirituality: A Sociology of The Spirit is only a beginning, a modest one, in exploring spirituality as a social force and restoring the inherent unity between sociology and theology. Though composed in a relatively short time span during the summer of 2005, this pioneering text represents the distillation of critical thought on society and religion gathered over many years of teaching sociology, preaching Christianity, and reaching for the truth in doing both. There is likely something in it to disturb, even offend, just about any political persuasion masquerading as religious conviction, for among its primary targets are hypocrisy and dogma. What the book aspires to reveal is truth about the human condition. And the truth, unlike academic departments and religious denominations seeking its revelation and transmission, is not compartmentalized and segmented into operational boxes convenient to bureaucracy. Nor is the truth monopolized by religion orscience. Yet a combination of the two, one which transcends traditional conceptual limitations imposed upon both by their conventional custodians, opens up new and exciting avenues of inquiry and insight. Such is the spiritual journey of intellectual exploration offered by this pioneering text. That fact alone separates this analysis of society from standard ones which clutter countless bookshelves in academe and bookstores in malls. It starts from the simple and sublime premise that humans are triune - body, mind and soul; and that to try to understand human behavior and ignore the spiritual is to embark upon the impossible. Accordingly, each chapter devotes itself to an analysis of the conflict between The Spirit and antispirit in society and its institutions. The socialization process, which is analyzed in the chapter on 'The Divine Child," is envisioned as a lifelong unfolding of spirituality identified as 'the seven days of spiritualization (majesty, security, creativity, productivity, intimacy, magnanimity, and mystery). The chapter on 'The Spiritual Self" goes beyond symbolic interactionism to understand not only the emergence of the mind from a brain but also the awakening of the soul in an individual. The chapter focusing on the family offers the concept of 'the essential family" as an illuminating alternative to nuclear family or traditional family. A host of social problems endemic to modern society which range from political corruption to vulture culture are thoroughly analyzed as a spiritual crisis in the chapter entitled 'The Spirit in Struggle." Particular attention is given to the current crisis in Christianity in American society. A chapter is devoted to a detailed andhighly critical analysis of 'Christianity in Reverse" with its contemporary heresies of Christian Nationalism, Christian Zionism, Christian Narcissism, and Christian Fascism. A subsequent chapter focuses on 'The Social Gospel" and its foundational principles of liberation, solidarity, compassion, social conversion, social justice, world peace, universal truth and agape love. The text concludes with a call for child supremacy as the hallmark of the coming supreme society and as a much-needed antidote to the violent supremacy of race, sex or


Book Synopsis Social Spirituality by : Werner Lange

Download or read book Social Spirituality written by Werner Lange and published by Xlibris Corp. This book was released on 2005-10-27 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spirituality is commonly neglected in contemporary sociology, and social reality is typically ignored in traditional theology. This book does just the opposite. It unites sociology and theology to lay the foundations for a sociotheology, an antidote to the failed paradigm of sociobiology so popular among modern social darwinists. It also exposes the limitations and flaws inherent in positivism and materialism, two philosophies which have dominated sociology for the past two centuries and, consequently, rendered social science largely inconsequential. Our conflicted times call for a new paradigm, one which restores the spiritual to its proper place in analysis of human behavior and social institutions. This book answers that call. Social Spirituality: A Sociology of The Spirit is only a beginning, a modest one, in exploring spirituality as a social force and restoring the inherent unity between sociology and theology. Though composed in a relatively short time span during the summer of 2005, this pioneering text represents the distillation of critical thought on society and religion gathered over many years of teaching sociology, preaching Christianity, and reaching for the truth in doing both. There is likely something in it to disturb, even offend, just about any political persuasion masquerading as religious conviction, for among its primary targets are hypocrisy and dogma. What the book aspires to reveal is truth about the human condition. And the truth, unlike academic departments and religious denominations seeking its revelation and transmission, is not compartmentalized and segmented into operational boxes convenient to bureaucracy. Nor is the truth monopolized by religion orscience. Yet a combination of the two, one which transcends traditional conceptual limitations imposed upon both by their conventional custodians, opens up new and exciting avenues of inquiry and insight. Such is the spiritual journey of intellectual exploration offered by this pioneering text. That fact alone separates this analysis of society from standard ones which clutter countless bookshelves in academe and bookstores in malls. It starts from the simple and sublime premise that humans are triune - body, mind and soul; and that to try to understand human behavior and ignore the spiritual is to embark upon the impossible. Accordingly, each chapter devotes itself to an analysis of the conflict between The Spirit and antispirit in society and its institutions. The socialization process, which is analyzed in the chapter on 'The Divine Child," is envisioned as a lifelong unfolding of spirituality identified as 'the seven days of spiritualization (majesty, security, creativity, productivity, intimacy, magnanimity, and mystery). The chapter on 'The Spiritual Self" goes beyond symbolic interactionism to understand not only the emergence of the mind from a brain but also the awakening of the soul in an individual. The chapter focusing on the family offers the concept of 'the essential family" as an illuminating alternative to nuclear family or traditional family. A host of social problems endemic to modern society which range from political corruption to vulture culture are thoroughly analyzed as a spiritual crisis in the chapter entitled 'The Spirit in Struggle." Particular attention is given to the current crisis in Christianity in American society. A chapter is devoted to a detailed andhighly critical analysis of 'Christianity in Reverse" with its contemporary heresies of Christian Nationalism, Christian Zionism, Christian Narcissism, and Christian Fascism. A subsequent chapter focuses on 'The Social Gospel" and its foundational principles of liberation, solidarity, compassion, social conversion, social justice, world peace, universal truth and agape love. The text concludes with a call for child supremacy as the hallmark of the coming supreme society and as a much-needed antidote to the violent supremacy of race, sex or


Seeing Religion

Seeing Religion

Author: Roman R. Williams

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-05-13

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 1317677803

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The potential of visual research methods in the sociology of religion is vast, but largely untapped. This comes as a surprise, however, given the visual, symbolic, and material nature of religion and spirituality. Evidence of religious faith and practice is materially present in everything from clothing and jewelry to artifacts found in people’s homes and workplaces. Not only is religion’s symbolic and material presence palpable throughout society, it also informs attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of countless people worldwide. Words-and-numbers approaches to social research, however, sometimes miss important dimensions of religion and spirituality in the contemporary world. Seeing Religion is an invitation to a visual sociology of religion. Contributors draw from their current research to discuss the application of visual methods to the study of religion and spirituality. Each chapter stimulates the sociological imagination through examples of research techniques, analytical approaches, and methodological concerns.


Book Synopsis Seeing Religion by : Roman R. Williams

Download or read book Seeing Religion written by Roman R. Williams and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-05-13 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The potential of visual research methods in the sociology of religion is vast, but largely untapped. This comes as a surprise, however, given the visual, symbolic, and material nature of religion and spirituality. Evidence of religious faith and practice is materially present in everything from clothing and jewelry to artifacts found in people’s homes and workplaces. Not only is religion’s symbolic and material presence palpable throughout society, it also informs attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of countless people worldwide. Words-and-numbers approaches to social research, however, sometimes miss important dimensions of religion and spirituality in the contemporary world. Seeing Religion is an invitation to a visual sociology of religion. Contributors draw from their current research to discuss the application of visual methods to the study of religion and spirituality. Each chapter stimulates the sociological imagination through examples of research techniques, analytical approaches, and methodological concerns.


The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion

The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion

Author: Peter Clarke

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2011-02-04

Total Pages: 1063

ISBN-13: 0191557528

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The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion draws on the expertise of an international team of scholars providing both an entry point into the sociological study and understanding of religion and an in-depth survey into its changing forms and content in the contemporary world. The role and impact of religion and spirituality on the politics, culture, education and health in the modern world is rigorously discussed and debated. The study of the sociology of religion forges interdisciplinary links to explore aspects of continuity and change in the contemporary interface between society and religion. Using a combination of theoretical, methodological and content-led approaches, the fifty-seven contributors collectively emphasise the complex relationships between religion and aspects of life from scientific research to law, ecology to art, music to cognitive science, crime to institutional health care and more. The developing character of religion, irreligion and atheism and the impact of religious diversity on social cohesion are explored. An overview of current scholarship in the field is provided in each themed chapter with an emphasis on encouraging new thinking and reflection on familiar and emergent themes to stimulate further debate and scholarship. The resulting essay collection provides an invaluable resource for research and teaching in this diverse discipline.


Book Synopsis The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion by : Peter Clarke

Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion written by Peter Clarke and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2011-02-04 with total page 1063 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion draws on the expertise of an international team of scholars providing both an entry point into the sociological study and understanding of religion and an in-depth survey into its changing forms and content in the contemporary world. The role and impact of religion and spirituality on the politics, culture, education and health in the modern world is rigorously discussed and debated. The study of the sociology of religion forges interdisciplinary links to explore aspects of continuity and change in the contemporary interface between society and religion. Using a combination of theoretical, methodological and content-led approaches, the fifty-seven contributors collectively emphasise the complex relationships between religion and aspects of life from scientific research to law, ecology to art, music to cognitive science, crime to institutional health care and more. The developing character of religion, irreligion and atheism and the impact of religious diversity on social cohesion are explored. An overview of current scholarship in the field is provided in each themed chapter with an emphasis on encouraging new thinking and reflection on familiar and emergent themes to stimulate further debate and scholarship. The resulting essay collection provides an invaluable resource for research and teaching in this diverse discipline.


The Sociology of Religion

The Sociology of Religion

Author: George Lundskow

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 2008-06-10

Total Pages: 464

ISBN-13: 1506319602

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Most Sociology of Religion texts are decidedly staid and uninteresting, covering "contemporary" developments which are only contemporary only from a disciplinary perspective. They are not contemporary if viewed from the perspective of the religion's practioners (in religious and non-religious settings). The textbooks that attempt to be interesting to undergraduate students often fall short because they either try to cover too much in an encyclopedic format, or sacrifice a sociological perspective for a personal one. Many use real-life examples only superficially to illustrate concepts. Lundskow's approach is the opposite—students will learn the facts of religion in its great diversity, all the most interesting and compelling beliefs and practices, and then learn relevant concepts that can be used to explain empirical observations. The book thus follows the logic of actual research—investigate and then analyze—rather than approaching concepts with no real bearing on how religion is experienced in society. This approach, using provocative examples and with an eye toward the historical and theoretical, not to mention global experience of religion, will make this book a success in the classroom. The author envisions a substantive approach that examines religion as it actually exists in all its forms, including belief, ritual, daily living, identity, institutions, social movements, social control, and social change. Within these broad categories, the book will devote particular chapters to important historical moments and movements, leaders, and various individual religions that have shaped the contemporary form and effect of religion in the world today.


Book Synopsis The Sociology of Religion by : George Lundskow

Download or read book The Sociology of Religion written by George Lundskow and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2008-06-10 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most Sociology of Religion texts are decidedly staid and uninteresting, covering "contemporary" developments which are only contemporary only from a disciplinary perspective. They are not contemporary if viewed from the perspective of the religion's practioners (in religious and non-religious settings). The textbooks that attempt to be interesting to undergraduate students often fall short because they either try to cover too much in an encyclopedic format, or sacrifice a sociological perspective for a personal one. Many use real-life examples only superficially to illustrate concepts. Lundskow's approach is the opposite—students will learn the facts of religion in its great diversity, all the most interesting and compelling beliefs and practices, and then learn relevant concepts that can be used to explain empirical observations. The book thus follows the logic of actual research—investigate and then analyze—rather than approaching concepts with no real bearing on how religion is experienced in society. This approach, using provocative examples and with an eye toward the historical and theoretical, not to mention global experience of religion, will make this book a success in the classroom. The author envisions a substantive approach that examines religion as it actually exists in all its forms, including belief, ritual, daily living, identity, institutions, social movements, social control, and social change. Within these broad categories, the book will devote particular chapters to important historical moments and movements, leaders, and various individual religions that have shaped the contemporary form and effect of religion in the world today.


Religion and Family in a Changing Society

Religion and Family in a Changing Society

Author: Penny Edgell

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0691086753

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Contested changes: "family values" in local religious life -- |t Religious involvement and religious institutional change -- |t Religion, family, and work -- |t Styles of religious involvement -- |t "The problem with families today ..."--|t Practice of family ministry -- |t Religious familism and social change.


Book Synopsis Religion and Family in a Changing Society by : Penny Edgell

Download or read book Religion and Family in a Changing Society written by Penny Edgell and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Contested changes: "family values" in local religious life -- |t Religious involvement and religious institutional change -- |t Religion, family, and work -- |t Styles of religious involvement -- |t "The problem with families today ..."--|t Practice of family ministry -- |t Religious familism and social change.


The Sociology of Religious Movements

The Sociology of Religious Movements

Author: William Sims Bainbridge

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-12-24

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 1134715897

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Explaining how religion and society transform each other, this book explores such movements as Holiness, Adventism, religious communes, Satanism, New Age and democratization. The Sociology of Religious Movements is the culmination of work begun in The Future of Religion (the 1986 award winner of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion) and A Theory of Religion (1993 award winner of the Pacific Sociological Association). Explaining religious schism, innovation, and conversion to show how religion and society transform each other, this book explores such movements as: Holiness, Adventism, religious communes, Children of God, Satanism, New York City Mission Society, New Age, Asian imports, and democratization.


Book Synopsis The Sociology of Religious Movements by : William Sims Bainbridge

Download or read book The Sociology of Religious Movements written by William Sims Bainbridge and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-12-24 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explaining how religion and society transform each other, this book explores such movements as Holiness, Adventism, religious communes, Satanism, New Age and democratization. The Sociology of Religious Movements is the culmination of work begun in The Future of Religion (the 1986 award winner of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion) and A Theory of Religion (1993 award winner of the Pacific Sociological Association). Explaining religious schism, innovation, and conversion to show how religion and society transform each other, this book explores such movements as: Holiness, Adventism, religious communes, Children of God, Satanism, New York City Mission Society, New Age, Asian imports, and democratization.


The Air We Breathe: Sociology of Religion

The Air We Breathe: Sociology of Religion

Author: Josh Packard

Publisher: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Published: 2016-09-23

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781465287519

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Featuring a unique approach, The Air We Breathe helps students learn sociology by studying religion. The book is situated around themes that apply across the field, not just to religion, and includes theories and ideas from outside of the subfield when appropriate (e.g., gender, organizational theory, group theory).


Book Synopsis The Air We Breathe: Sociology of Religion by : Josh Packard

Download or read book The Air We Breathe: Sociology of Religion written by Josh Packard and published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. This book was released on 2016-09-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Featuring a unique approach, The Air We Breathe helps students learn sociology by studying religion. The book is situated around themes that apply across the field, not just to religion, and includes theories and ideas from outside of the subfield when appropriate (e.g., gender, organizational theory, group theory).


Religion on the Edge

Religion on the Edge

Author: Courtney Bender

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 0199938644

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The thirteen essays in this volume offer a challenge to conventional scholarly approaches to the sociology of religion. They urge readers to look beyond congregational settings, beyond the United States, and to religions other than Christianity, and encourage critical engagement with religion's complex social consequences. By expanding conceptual categories, the essays reveal how aspects of the religious have always been part of allegedly non-religious spaces and show how, by attending to these intellectual blindspots, we can understand aspects of identity, modernity, and institutional life that have long been obscured. Religion on the Edge addresses a number of critical questions: What is revealed about the self, pluralism, or modernity when we look outside the U.S. or outside Christian settings? What do we learn about how and where the religious is actually at work and what its role is when we unpack the assumptions about it embedded in the categories we use? Religion on the Edge offers groundbreaking new methodologies and models, bringing to light conceptual lacunae, re-centering what is unsettled by their use, and inviting a significant reordering of long-accepted political and economic hierarchies. The book shows how social scientists across the disciplines can engage with the sociology of religion. By challenging many of its long-standing empirical and analytic tendencies, the contributors to this volume show how their work informs and is informed by debates in other fields and the analytical purchase gained by bringing these many conversations together. Religion on the Edge will be a crucial resource for any scholar seeking to understand our post-modern, post-secular world.


Book Synopsis Religion on the Edge by : Courtney Bender

Download or read book Religion on the Edge written by Courtney Bender and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2013 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The thirteen essays in this volume offer a challenge to conventional scholarly approaches to the sociology of religion. They urge readers to look beyond congregational settings, beyond the United States, and to religions other than Christianity, and encourage critical engagement with religion's complex social consequences. By expanding conceptual categories, the essays reveal how aspects of the religious have always been part of allegedly non-religious spaces and show how, by attending to these intellectual blindspots, we can understand aspects of identity, modernity, and institutional life that have long been obscured. Religion on the Edge addresses a number of critical questions: What is revealed about the self, pluralism, or modernity when we look outside the U.S. or outside Christian settings? What do we learn about how and where the religious is actually at work and what its role is when we unpack the assumptions about it embedded in the categories we use? Religion on the Edge offers groundbreaking new methodologies and models, bringing to light conceptual lacunae, re-centering what is unsettled by their use, and inviting a significant reordering of long-accepted political and economic hierarchies. The book shows how social scientists across the disciplines can engage with the sociology of religion. By challenging many of its long-standing empirical and analytic tendencies, the contributors to this volume show how their work informs and is informed by debates in other fields and the analytical purchase gained by bringing these many conversations together. Religion on the Edge will be a crucial resource for any scholar seeking to understand our post-modern, post-secular world.


Handbook of the Sociology of Religion

Handbook of the Sociology of Religion

Author: Michele Dillon

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2003-08-18

Total Pages: 500

ISBN-13: 9780521000789

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Table of contents


Book Synopsis Handbook of the Sociology of Religion by : Michele Dillon

Download or read book Handbook of the Sociology of Religion written by Michele Dillon and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2003-08-18 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Table of contents