Religion and Modern Society
Citizenship, Secularisation and the State

A unique historical and comparative analysis of the place of religion in the emergence of modern secular society.

Bryan S. Turner (Author)

9780521675321, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 31 March 2011

374 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1 cm, 0.59 kg

'It is a praiseworthy work that reminds sociologists to maintain a balance between specialized research subfields and the borders of interdisciplinary debate, between theoretical criticism and conceptual clarification, and between empirical richness and normative expectation. Thus, Religion and Modern Society is not only an endeavor of sociology of religion which moves beyond the secularization theme and the rational choice approach to religion; it is also an accomplishment that melds body studies, citizenship studies, social theory, and social research into a sociological intervention of both the public issues of religions and the humanity debate of post-secularity … This book is highly recommended to researchers interested in sociology of religion, social theory, and humanity studies of religion.' Society

Religion is now high on the public agenda, with recent events focusing the world's attention on Islam in particular. This book provides a unique historical and comparative analysis of the place of religion in the emergence of modern secular society. Bryan S. Turner considers the problems of multicultural, multi-faith societies and legal pluralism in terms of citizenship and the state, with special emphasis on the problems of defining religion and the sacred in the secularisation debate. He explores a range of issues central to current debates: the secularisation thesis itself, the communications revolution, the rise of youth spirituality, feminism, piety and religious revival. Religion and Modern Society contributes to political and ethical controversies through discussions of cosmopolitanism, religion and globalisation. It concludes with a pessimistic analysis of the erosion of the social in modern society and the inability of new religions to provide 'social repair'.

Introduction: the state of the sociology of religion
Part I. Theoretical Frameworks: The Problem of Religion in Sociology: 1. Religion, religions and the body
2. Émile Durkheim and the classification of religion
3. Max Weber and comparative religion
4. Talcott Parsons and the expressive revolution
5. Mary Douglas and modern primitives
6. Pierre Bourdieu and religious practice
Part II. Religion, State and Post-Secularity: 7. The secularization thesis
8. Legal pluralism, religion and multiculturalism
9. Managing religions: liberal and authoritarian states
10. Religious speech: on ineffable communication
11. Spiritualities: the media, feminism and consumerism
12. Religion, globalisation and cosmopolitanism
13. Civil religion, citizenship and the business cycle
14. The globalisation of piety.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Social theory [JHBA], History of ideas [JFCX], Comparative religion [HRAC], Religion: general [HRA]