The Sociology of Religion

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 TheorySociological Theory and ReligionDeath and the Meaning of LifeClassical TheoryEmile DurkheimKarl MarxMax WeberThe Protestant Ethic and the Rise of CapitalismCharismaOf Priests and Prophets—Establishment versus CharismaMiddle Sociology—World War II and its AftermathRace: The Great Religious Divider in the United StatesThe Evil EnemyWomen as OtherReligion after World War IITheory and Religion TodayReferences and Further ReadingChapter 2—A Sociological History of ReligionSection i ?Premodern ReligionThe Dawn of ReligionSocial Change and two Great ShiftsPolytheismInclusive Monotheism (Henotheism)Exclusive MonotheismTransition from Paganism to ChristianityWhat Happened to Paganism?The Role of ClassThe Role of CultureThe Engines of Religious ChangeThe Medieval PeriodSchism and CrusadesEarly Modern PeriodThe Witch CrazeRise and Transformation of the Work EthicSection ii. Religion in Modern TimesModern TimesVital Religious Experience and Personal Volition: The First and Second Great AwakeningsReligion and Race: Slavery and Its AftermathAmerican EvangelicalismThe Rise of Progressivism and FundamentalismReligion and the Rise of Modern ManhoodProgressivismAmerican Innovation: The Democratization of ReligionThe Twentieth CenturyCivil Rights and the Vietnam WarFundamentalist ResurgenceReligion after the Cold WarReligion Today and in the Near FutureReferencesChapter 3 Superstition and the SupernaturalIntroductionSparta and AthensThe Virgin Mary in a Small German VillageWitches and the Devil in SalemDiscussionReferencesChapter 4 Alternative ReligionIntroductionAnalytical ConceptsOn the Ambiguity, Ambivalence, and Vacancy of the Self in Modern LifeConformity—The Case of the Latter-day ChurchesInnovation—The Case of Unitarian UniversalismRitualism—The Case of Roman Catholic TraditionalismRetreatism—Voudou in the New WorldCaribbean VariationsCubaHaitiRevolution—The Case of Native-American ResistanceReferences and Further ReadingChapter 5 Religious Intolerance and ViolenceIntroductionExclusive MonotheismIcons—Intolerance of Religious ImageryThe Cathars—Intolerance of HeresyDiscussionViolence and Intolerance in Modern TimesFundamentalismIslamWomen’s Fundamentalism in the Middle EastChristianityFundamentalism in the US—The Christian RightChristian ViolenceHinduismDiscussionAuthoritarianismConclusionsReferencesChapter 6 EvilSociological RelevanceEvil Around the WorldPolynesiaVedismChina and JapanNative AmericaThe PersiansCo-Discussion—“Gods and Devils” by Mark P. WorrellReferences and Further ReadingChapter 7 CultsIntroductionMilleritesBranch Davidians—From Alternative Religion to CultCharles Manson and the FamilyDegradation Rituals—The Process of Cult InitiationThe Leader and the MessageHeaven’s GateDiscussion—What Cults Really AreReferences and Further ReadingChapter 8 Emergent ReligionIntroductionRevival and EmergenceNeopaganismBeliefs and HistoryMargot AdlerStarhawkEthnographic Testimonies—Original ResearchNew EvangelicalismComparisonsThe DifferencesReferences and Further ReadingChapter 9 GlobalizationIntroductionHaré Krishna—Indian Religion Arrives in the USPentecostalismRoman CatholicismGlobal Clashes—RussiaPolandCo-Discussion—Catholic Fundamentalism in Poland by Agnieszka KoscianskaCo-Discussion—"I’m Muslim by God’s Grace; I’m Gay by God’s Grace”: Reconciling a Queer Muslim Identity in America by Mahruq KhanTypes of Religious ExperienceReferences and Further ReadingChapter 10 Religion Beyond ReligionIntroductionHeavy Metal HierophanyOn the Road—A Journey of DiscoveryMetal and Goths—ContrastsSportsBrandingJesus, CEOCo-Discussion—God the Economist? Economics and Religion in an Inter-Faith Business Organization by Sadie PendazReferences and Further Reading

This text is far more insightful than texts that just go into various religions and describe the practices and rituals associated with them.