God is Dead: Secularization in the West by Steve Bruce (English) Paperback Book

Description: God is Dead by Steve Bruce In this defence of the secularization paradigm, Bruce elaborates just what Weber, Durkheim, Berger and Wilson thought was happening to religion in the West, and responds to critics of this concept. Topics covered include new age spirituality, and the influence of Eastern religions. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Drawing on an international range of examples, Steve Bruce offers a comprehensive and up-to-date defence of the secularisation debate. Back Cover Christianity in the democracies of the ‘first world has been declining in power, popularity and prestige for a century. However, many commentators, social scientists as well as church leaders, try and minimize the extent of this change. They maintain that religious sentiment remains strong despite declining levels of church involvement, and insist that secularization is an academic myth. In this robust defense of the secularization paradigm, Bruce elaborates just what Weber, Durkheim, Berger and Wilson thought was happening to religion in the West, and responds to critics of this concept. Specific topics covered include the significance of New Age spirituality, the influence of eastern religions on the West, the impact of science, the charismatic movement, religion and politics in the USA, and the future of religion. Bruce concludes the old orthodoxy was right: cultural diversity, in egalitarian and liberal democracies that place the individual above the community, undermines religious belief. Drawing on a diverse range of international examples, and written by one of the foremost sociologists of religion working today, God is Dead moves the debate about secularization forward. It will be an invaluable resource for students of sociology of religion, modern religion, Christianity, new religious movements and religion and culture. Flap Christianity in the democracies of the first world has been declining in power, popularity and prestige for a century. However, many commentators, social scientists as well as church leaders, try and minimize the extent of this change. They maintain that religious sentiment remains strong despite declining levels of church involvement, and insist that secularization is an academic myth. In this robust defense of the secularization paradigm, Bruce elaborates just what Weber, Durkheim, Berger and Wilson thought was happening to religion in the West, and responds to critics of this concept. Specific topics covered include the significance of New Age spirituality, the influence of eastern religions on the West, the impact of science, the charismatic movement, religion and politics in the USA, and the future of religion. Bruce concludes the old orthodoxy was right: cultural diversity, in egalitarian and liberal democracies that place the individual above the community, undermines religious belief. Drawing on a diverse range of international examples, and written by one of the foremost sociologists of religion working today, God is Dead moves the debate about secularization forward. It will be an invaluable resource for students of sociology of religion, modern religion, Christianity, new religious movements and religion and culture. Author Biography Steve Bruce is the Professor of Sociology and Head of Department of Sociology at the University of Aberdeen. He has also held visiting posts at the universities of Virginia and Edinburgh. He is one of the worlds leading sociologists of religion and has recently been elected a Fellow of the British Academy. Professor Bruce has published 13 books and over 90 articles. The following are his most recent books: Pray TV: Televangelism in America (1990), Religion in Modern Britain (1995), Religion in the Modern World (1996), Conservative Protestant Politics (1998), Sociology: A Very Short Introduction (1999), Choice and Religion (1999), Fundamentalism (Polity, 2001), and Politics and Religion (Polity, 2003). Table of Contents Figures. Tables. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. The Secularization Paradigm. 2. The Golden Age of Faith. 3. God is Dead: Christianity in Britain. 4. The Failure of the New Age. 5. Science and Secularization. 6. The Easternization of the West. 7. Regression to the Mean. 8. Subsistence Religion. 9. The Charismatic Movement and Secularization. 10. Discovering Religion: Mistakes of Method. 11. Religion in the United States. 12. Postmodernism and the Religious Revival. Notes. References. Index. Review Steve Bruces book has all the hallmarks of his work: clarity, verve, graphic illustration and common sense. The argument is Bruces cumulative statement of the secularization theme, bringing the various elements together in an impressive synthesis, as well as building in counter-arguments, such as those to do with the role of religion in ethnic solidarity. Within its own terms and specific context – western liberal democracies, and especially Europe – it is difficult to refute. --David Martin, London School of Economics "Bruces book is a compelling, vigorous and scrupulously fair defense of what the secularization paradigm means and does not mean. Highly recommended." (Library Journal) "The sooner churches face up to Bruces thesis, the better." (Ministry Today) "Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of religion can afford to neglect it." (Choice) "...the pace and style of Bruces narrative, the crispness and clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and enlightening book." --Michael Rosie (British Sociological Association Network Magazine) "Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of religion can afford to neglect it." (Choice) "This book is exactly what the back cover claims: a robust defense of the secularization thesis...The writing and the presentation are both concise and clear, offering a resource that students will cherish." (Theology) "[T]his volume is a welcome resource for teachers/scholars interested in current theoretical disputes in the sociology of religion as well as students of the religious change in particular cultures of the West." (Religious Studies Review) "[T]he pace and style of Bruces narrative, the crispness and clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and enlightening book." (BSA Network) Long Description Christianity in the democracies of the first world has been declining in power, popularity and prestige for a century. However, many commentators, social scientists as well as church leaders, try and minimize the extent of this change. They maintain that religious sentiment remains strong despite declining levels of church involvement, and insist that secularization is an academic myth. In this robust defense of the secularization paradigm, Bruce elaborates just what Weber, Durkheim, Berger and Wilson thought was happening to religion in the West, and responds to critics of this concept. Specific topics covered include the significance of New Age spirituality, the influence of eastern religions on the West, the impact of science, the charismatic movement, religion and politics in the USA, and the future of religion. Bruce concludes the old orthodoxy was right: cultural diversity, in egalitarian and liberal democracies that place the individual above the community, undermines religious belief. Drawing on a diverse range of international examples, and written by one of the foremost sociologists of religion working today, God is Dead moves the debate about secularization forward. It will be an invaluable resource for students of sociology of religion, modern religion, Christianity, new religious movements and religion and culture. Review Text Steve Bruces book has all the hallmarks of his work: clarity, verve, graphic illustration and common sense. The argument is Bruces cumulative statement of the secularization theme, bringing the various elements together in an impressive synthesis, as well as building in counter-arguments, such as those to do with the role of religion in ethnic solidarity. Within its own terms and specific context ? western liberal democracies, and especially Europe ? it is difficult to refute. --David Martin, London School of Economics "Bruces book is a compelling, vigorous and scrupulously fair defense of what the secularization paradigm means and does not mean. Highly recommended." (Library Journal) "The sooner churches face up to Bruces thesis, the better." (Ministry Today) "Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of religion can afford to neglect it." (Choice) "...the pace and style of Bruces narrative, the crispness and clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and enlightening book." --Michael Rosie (British Sociological Association Network Magazine) "Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of religion can afford to neglect it." (Choice) "This book is exactly what the back cover claims: a robust defense of the secularization thesis...The writing and the presentation are both concise and clear, offering a resource that students will cherish." (Theology) "[T]his volume is a welcome resource for teachers/scholars interested in current theoretical disputes in the sociology of religion as well as students of the religious change in particular cultures of the West." (Religious Studies Review) "[T]he pace and style of Bruces narrative, the crispness and clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and enlightening book." (BSA Network) Review Quote & Steve Bruces book has all the hallmarks of his work: clarity, verve, graphic illustration and common sense. The argument is Bruces cumulative statement of the secularization theme, bringing the various elements together in an impressive synthesis, as well as building in counter-arguments, such as those to do with the role of religion in ethnic solidarity. Within its own terms and specific context & western liberal democracies, and especially Europe & it is difficult to refute. David Martin, London School of Economics"Bruces book is a compelling, vigorous and scrupulously fair defense of what the secularization paradigm means and does not mean. Highly recommended." Library Journal"The sooner churches face up to Bruces thesis, the better." Ministry Today"Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of religion can afford to neglect it." Choice"...the pace and style of Bruces narrative, the crispness and clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and enlightening book." Michael Rosie, British Sociological Association Network Magazine"Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of religion can afford to neglect it." Choice"This book is exactly what the back cover claims: a robust defense of the secularization thesis...The writing and the presentation are both concise and clear, offering a resource that students will cherish." Theology"[T]his volume is a welcome resource for teachers/scholars interested in current theoretical disputes in the sociology of religion as well as students of the religious change in particular cultures of the West." Religious Studies Review"[T]he pace and style of Bruces narrative, the crispness and clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and enlightening book." BSA Network Feature Offers a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of secularization, explaining clearly what the debate entails. Draws on a diverse range of international examples, including Scottish fishermen, Virginian fundamentalists and Russian serfs. Topics covered include religion and politics in the USA, the significance of New Age spirituality, the influence of eastern religions on the West, and the future of religion. Discusses the work of Weber, Durkheim, Berger and Wilson, and elaborates on what they thought was happening to religion in the West. Written by an internationally-known and widely respected sociologist of religion. God is Dead offers an original and balanced overview of this key debate. Details ISBN0631232753 Author Steve Bruce Short Title GOD IS DEAD Pages 288 Language English ISBN-10 0631232753 ISBN-13 9780631232759 Media Book Format Paperback Illustrations Yes Year 2002 Subtitle Secularization in the West Residence US Birth 1954 Edition 1st DOI 10.1604/9780631232759 Series Number 9 UK Release Date 2002-04-08 AU Release Date 2002-04-08 NZ Release Date 2002-04-08 US Release Date 2002-04-08 Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd Series Religion and Spirituality in the Modern World Publication Date 2002-04-08 Imprint Wiley-Blackwell Place of Publication Hoboken Alternative 9780631232742 DEWEY 306.6 Audience Undergraduate Country of Publication United Kingdom We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:102474088;

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