Most Sociology of Religion texts are decidedly staid and uninteresting, covering "contemporary" developments which are contemporary only if viewed from a disciplinary perspective. They are not contemporary if viewed from the perspective of the religion's practioners (in religious and non-religious settings) and students. 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.
George Lundskow recently edited and published a book on new developments in religion. This textbook is in many ways an extension of that book conceptually, that religion today is best understood through example, examined closely, not through summaries of classical theorists, literature reviews of famous scholars, or abstract concepts. Rather, let's present students with interesting, factual information, relevant concepts, and let them critically analyze what is happening and why.
Chapter 1 Theory Sociological Theory and Religion Death and the Meaning of Life Classical Theory Emile Durkheim Karl Marx Max Weber The Protestant Ethic and the Rise of Capitalism Charisma Of Priests and Prophets-Establishment versus Charisma Middle Sociology-World War II and its Aftermath Race: The Great Religious Divider in the United States The Evil Enemy Women as Other Religion after World War II Theory and Religion Today References and Further Reading Chapter 2-A Sociological History of Religion Section i ?Premodern Religion The Dawn of Religion Social Change and two Great Shifts Polytheism Inclusive Monotheism (Henotheism) Exclusive Monotheism Transition from Paganism to Christianity What Happened to Paganism? The Role of Class The Role of Culture The Engines of Religious Change The Medieval Period Schism and Crusades Early Modern Period The Witch Craze Rise and Transformation of the Work Ethic Section ii. Religion in Modern Times Modern Times Vital Religious Experience and Personal Volition: The First and Second Great Awakenings Religion and Race: Slavery and Its Aftermath American Evangelicalism The Rise of Progressivism and Fundamentalism Religion and the Rise of Modern Manhood Progressivism American Innovation: The Democratization of Religion The Twentieth Century Civil Rights and the Vietnam War Fundamentalist Resurgence Religion after the Cold War Religion Today and in the Near Future References Chapter 3 Superstition and the Supernatural Introduction Sparta and Athens The Virgin Mary in a Small German Village Witches and the Devil in Salem Discussion References Chapter 4 Alternative Religion Introduction Analytical Concepts On the Ambiguity, Ambivalence, and Vacancy of the Self in Modern Life Conformity-The Case of the Latter-day Churches Innovation-The Case of Unitarian Universalism Ritualism-The Case of Roman Catholic Traditionalism Retreatism-Voudou in the New World Caribbean Variations Cuba Haiti Revolution-The Case of Native-American Resistance References and Further Reading Chapter 5 Religious Intolerance and Violence Introduction Exclusive Monotheism Icons-Intolerance of Religious Imagery The Cathars-Intolerance of Heresy Discussion Violence and Intolerance in Modern Times Fundamentalism Islam Women's Fundamentalism in the Middle East Christianity Fundamentalism in the US-The Christian Right Christian Violence Hinduism Discussion Authoritarianism Conclusions References Chapter 6 Evil Sociological Relevance Evil Around the World Polynesia Vedism China and Japan Native America The Persians Co-Discussion-"Gods and Devils" by Mark P. Worrell References and Further Reading Chapter 7 Cults Introduction Millerites Branch Davidians-From Alternative Religion to Cult Charles Manson and the Family Degradation Rituals-The Process of Cult Initiation The Leader and the Message Heaven's Gate Discussion-What Cults Really Are References and Further Reading Chapter 8 Emergent Religion Introduction Revival and Emergence Neopaganism Beliefs and History Margot Adler Starhawk Ethnographic Testimonies-Original Research New Evangelicalism Comparisons The Differences References and Further Reading Chapter 9 Globalization Introduction Hare Krishna-Indian Religion Arrives in the US Pentecostalism Roman Catholicism Global Clashes-Russia Poland Co-Discussion-Catholic Fundamentalism in Poland by Agnieszka Koscianska Co-Discussion-"I'm Muslim by God's Grace; I'm Gay by God's Grace": Reconciling a Queer Muslim Identity in America by Mahruq Khan Types of Religious Experience References and Further Reading Chapter 10 Religion Beyond Religion Introduction Heavy Metal Hierophany On the Road-A Journey of Discovery Metal and Goths-Contrasts Sports Branding Jesus, CEO Co-Discussion-God the Economist? Economics and Religion in an Inter-Faith Business Organization by Sadie Pendaz References and Further Reading
