Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion

Using an unbiased, balanced approach, the 8th edition of this text puts religion in its social context by discussing the impact of society on religion while helpg readers understand the role and function of religion in society that occurregardlessof anyone's claims about the truth or falsity of religious systems.

Preface

xiii

PART INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

The Sociological Perspective

1

(20)

The Task of Sociology

2

(1)

Central Sociological Assumptions

3

(2)

The Sociology of Religion

5

(2)

Defining Religion

7

(1)

The Characteristics of Religion

8

(6)

A Working Definition of Religion

14

(1)

The Definition Applied to ``Magic''

15

(2)

Final Reflection on the Definition of Religion

17

(1)

A Concluding Historical Note: The Development of the Sociology of Religion

18

(2)

Notes

20

(1)

The Sources of Religion

21

(19)

Revelation as Origin

22

(1)

The ``Natural-Knowledge-of-God'' Explanation

23

(1)

Anthropological Explanations

24

(3)

Psychological Explanations

27

(2)

Sociological Views

29

(7)

Rational Choice Theory

36

(1)

Conclusion

37

(1)

Notes

38

(2)

PART II THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF RELIGION

Religion as a Group Phenomenon

40

(20)

Religion and the Characteristics of a Group

40

(3)

Religion and the Five Functional Prerequisites of Group Life

43

(6)

The Effects of Increasing Group Size

49

(2)

The Bureaucratization of Religion

51

(4)

Religious Leadership

55

(3)

Notes

58

(2)

The Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization

60

(31)

The Sect

61

(1)

The Church

62

(2)

The Denomination

64

(1)

The Formation of Sects

65

(2)

The Impact of Deprivation on Sect Development

67

(3)

The Evolution of Sects

70

(5)

The Institutionalized Sect

75

(3)

The Cult

78

(6)

Other Non-American Cults

84

(3)

Refinements of the Church-Sect Typology

87

(1)

Notes

88

(3)

Becoming Religious

91

(31)

Elements in Religious Socialization

92

(2)

Methods of Religious Socialization

94

(2)

Measuring the Impact of Religious Socialization

96

(3)

Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: Group Affiliation

99

(2)

Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: The Individual Approach

101

(3)

Sociological Measures of Religiosity: Multidimensional Measures

104

(2)

Internalization of Religion

106

(4)

Religious Conversion

110

(5)

Decon version

115

(2)

Deprogramming

117

(1)

Conclusion

118

(1)

Notes

118

(4)

Religious Conflict

122

(23)

Conflict Theory According to Karl Marx

123

(3)

Religious Conflict in History

126

(1)

Contemporary Examples of Religious Conflict

127

(7)

Intrareligious Conflict

134

(8)

Challenges to Society from Religious Groups

142

(1)

Conclusion

143

(1)

Notes

143

(2)

PART III RELIGION IN SOCIETY

Religion and Politics

145

(34)

The Relationship of Religion and Politics

147

(1)

The Influence of Religion on Politics

148

(19)

Civil Religion

167

(3)

Religion and Politics in the Third World

170

(6)

Notes

176

(3)

Religious Fundamentalism

179

(27)

The Concept of Fundamentalism: Its Origin and Use

180

(4)

Protestant Fundamentalism

184

(11)

Jewish Fundamentalism

195

(4)

Islamic Fundamentalism

199

(4)

The Future

203

(1)

Notes

204

(2)

Religion and the Economy

206

(15)

Religion as an Economic Institution

207

(1)

Religion as a Shaper of Economic Attitudes and Behavior

208

(9)

An Assessment of the Relationship between Religion and Economics

217

(2)

Notes

219

(2)

Religion and the Class System

221

(22)

Differences in Religious Meaning and Expression among Social Classes

222

(3)

Differential Denominational Affiliation by Social Class

225

(6)

Social Stratification within Religious Groups

231

(1)

Stratification, Religion, and Race

232

(8)

Notes

240

(3)

Women and Religion

243

(45)

The Relationship of Women to Religion as Societies Evolved

244

(1)

The Historical Patterns

245

(6)

Contemporary Responses

251

(25)

Female-Dominated Religions

276

(3)

Predictions

279

(3)

Application of Rational Choice Theory

282

(1)

Conclusion

283

(1)

Notes

283

(5)

PART IV RELIGION IN AMERICA

Major Historical Developments

288

(23)

Intolerant Beginnings

288

(2)

The Constitutional Compromise

290

(5)

The Frontier Challenge

295

(4)

The Ordeal of Pluralism

299

(4)

Religious Social Concern

303

(3)

The Post-World War II Revival

306

(3)

Notes

309

(2)

Black and Native American Religion in America

311

(33)

The Historical Development of the Black Church as a Social Institution

312

(7)

Militancy in the Black Church

319

(6)

New Themes in Black Religion

325

(5)

Other Religious Options for African Americans

330

(2)

Native American Religion

332

(8)

Notes

340

(4)

Denominational Society

344

(40)

The Multiplicity of Groups

345

(1)

The Diversity of Groups

346

(1)

Major Denominational Families

347

(18)

Special Interest Religious Groups

365

(1)

Ecumenism

366

(6)

The Megachurch Phenomenon

372

(4)

The Continued Viability of Denominationalism

376

(4)

Notes

380

(4)

The Future of Religion

384

(41)

Level of Religious Activity

385

(2)

The Growth and Decline of Membership

387

(8)

Impending Protestant Loss of Majority Religious Position

395

(2)

The Dilemmas of Roman Catholicism

397

(5)

Continuity in the Traditional Social Functions of Religion

402

(5)

The Factor of Secularization

407

(8)

The Conflict over the Purpose of Religion

415

(4)

Conclusion

419

(2)

Notes

421

(4)

Photo Credits

425

(2)

Index

427

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Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion

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Table of Contents

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