Product Description

'Grace Davie is one of the best analysts of religion in contemporary sociology. This book caps a distinguished record of studies of religion - first of Britain, then of Europe, then globally. This is a magisterial work, which should be read by anyone interested in the place of religion in the modern world' - Peter L. Berger, Boston University

'This book offers both an expert survey of contemporary sociology of religion and the personal reflections of one of the leading scholars in the field. Grace Davie is a good model for students and their teachers: she is clear, engaging and fair minded but unafraid to express a point of view' -David Voas, University of Manchester

'Grace Davie has written a book about what is currently happening in the sociology of religion which is clear, accessible, devoid of jargon and authoritative. Though addressed to the educated reader, it also provides an ideal text for students... If you want expert guidance about what is going on in the sociology of religion, and to have useful indications about what is going on in religion on the global scene, this book does the job extremely well' - Theology

Why is religion still important? Can we be fully modern and fully religious? The Sociology of Religion works at two levels. First it sets out the agenda - covering the key questions in the sociology of religion today. At the same time, it interrogates this agenda - asking if the sociology of religion, as we currently know it, is 'fit for purpose'. If not, what is to be done?

This book:

• describes the origins of the sociology of religion

• demystifies secularization as a process and a theory

• relates religion to modern social theory

• unpacks the meaning of religion in relation to modernity and globalization

• grasps the methodological challenges in the field

• provides a comparative perspective for religions in the west

• introduces questions of minorities and margins

• sets out a critical agenda for debate and research.

In a single volume, Grace Davie captures the nature and forms of modern religion, the current debates in the field and the prospects for future development. (20071211)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #277138 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 296 pages

Review
'Grace Davie is one of the best analysts of religion in contemporary sociology. This book caps a distinguished record of studies of religion - first of Britain, then of Europe, then globally. This is a magisterial work, which should be read by anyone interested in the place of religion in the modern world' - Peter L. Berger, Boston University

'This book offers both an expert survey of contemporary sociology of religion and the personal reflections of one of the leading scholars in the field. Grace Davie is a good model for students and their teachers: she is clear, engaging and fair minded but unafraid to express a point of view' - David Voas, University of Manchester

'Grace Davie has written a book about what is currently happening in the sociology of religion which is clear, accessible, devoid of jargon and authoritative. Though addressed to the educated reader, it also provides an ideal text for students... If you want expert guidance about what is going on in the sociology of religion, and to have useful indications about what is going on in religion on the global scene, this book does the job extremely well' - Theology (20090111)

"Aside from her substantial theoretical contributions, Davie accomplishes four things, any one of which would be worth the price of the book.  First, she provides a clear, thorough review of theory and research in the sociology of religion, and argues successfully for its position as a central subdiscipline.  Second, she displays an impressive command of comparative literature in the field, using French, British, and other European sources in addition to those from North American; this makes her presentation both wide and deep...Third, Davie underlines the importance of context, historical and geographical, for understanding how theory and case studies develop.  The latter are exceptionally well-chosen.  Finally, the author's endnotes and her extensive bibliography give excellent guidance to beginning and experienced readers alike." 

-CHOICE (C. Hendershott )

Grace Davie is one of the best analysts of religion in contemporary sociology. This book caps a distinguished record of studies of religion - first of Britain, then of Europe, then globally. This is a magisterial work, which should be read by anyone interested in the place of religion in the modern world." (Peter L. Berger )