Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion, 8/E
Ronald L. Johnstone, Ball State University

ISBN-10: 0131884077
ISBN-13: 9780131884076

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2007
Format: Paper; 387 pp
Published: 02/15/2006

Suggested retail price: $92.60
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For junior/senior-level courses in Religion and Society in departments of Sociology and Religious Studies.

 

Using an unbiased, balanced approach, the 8th edition of this text puts religion in its social context by discussing the impact of society on religion and helps students understand the role and function of religion in society that occur regardless of anyone's claims about the truth or falsity of religious systems.

 

 

~ Provides new and updated information and research data in the rapidly changing field of religion in society.  

 

~ Addresses the constant changes in the issues presented by the interaction of religion the various institutions and social processes represented in modern societies both worldwide and within America.

 

~ Provides real-life examples that illustrate the principles being presented. 

NEW - More attention to sociological theory throughout - including added treatment of Durkheim's discussion of ritual.

 
NEW - Chapter organization - the chapter on "Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization" (now Chapter 4) precedes the material on "Becoming Religious" )(now Chapter 5) to introduce church-sect typology earlier and enhance student interest.
 
NEW - Expanded Chapter 6 on Religious Conflict  - because religious conflict in all sorts of forms has implications for everyone regrdlss of their personal religious commitment or lack of same.    
 
NEW -  Expanded coverage of  "Religion and Politics" and "Religious Fundamentalism":
 
  • The New Christian Right support for election of local school boards
  • Updating of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Expanded discussion of "Civil Religion" and its use by President George W. Bush in light of the 2004 election
  • Updated discussion of the public's approval/disapproval of abortion.
  • Expanded treatment of the comparison of Fundamentalists with Evangelicals.
  • Extended discussions of President G. W. Bush's attempts to expand the influence of religion on politics and government, in particular, Faith-Based Initiatives
 
NEW - Expanded Chapter 11 on "Women and Religion":
 
  •  Added to the discussion of the ordination of women issue in the Catholic Church.
  •  Update on female seminary enrollees.
  •  Expanded discussion of Wicca/Neo Paganism.
  •  Discussion of another option for fundamentalist women in megachurches.
  •  The reaction of some Catholic women to the death of Pope John Paul VI.
 
 NEW - Discussion of 5 major factors affecting growth and decline of various denominations:
  •  Discussion of incresed community outreach among black churches.
  •  Discussion of differential birth rates, etc. on the growth and decline of various denominations.
  •  Expanded discussion of the priest shortage in the Catholic Church.
  •  Discussion at several points of the election and potential impact of Pope Benedict XVI.
  •  New section on discrepancies between Catholic doctrine and practice.
  •  Expanded treatment of Black Catholics. 
  •  Introduced the newest major ecumenical church group--Christian Churches Together in the USA. 
        
NEW - Expanded discussion of the original intent of the First Amendment to the Constitution
 
NEW - Updated numerous tables and data sets from recent NORC and other studies.

PART I   INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

 

Chapter 1:    The Sociological Perspective

 

The Task of Sociology

Central Sociological Assumptions

The Sociology of Religion

Defining Religion

The Characteristics of Religion

A Working Definition of Religion

The Definition Applied to “Magic”

Final Reflection on the Definition of Religion

A Concluding Historical Note: The Development of the Sociology of Religion

Notes

 

Chapter 2:     The Sources of Religion

 

 

Revelation As Origin

The “Natural-Knowledge-Of-God” Explanation

Anthropological Explanations

Psychological Explanations

Sociological Views

Rational Choice Theory

Conclusion

Notes

 

PART II   THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF RELIGION

 

Chapter 3:    Religion As A Group Phenomenon

 

Religion and the Characteristics of a Group

Religion and the Five Functional Prerequisites of Group Life

The Effects of Increasing Group Size

The Bureaucratization of Religion

Religious Leadership

Notes

 

Chapter 4:    The Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization

 

The Sect

The Church

The Denomination

The Formation of Sects

The Impact of Deprivation on Sect Development

The Evolution of Sects

The Institutionalized Sect

The Cult

Other Non-American Cults

Refinements of the Church-Sect Typology

Notes

 

Chapter 5:    Becoming Religious

 

Elements in Religious Socialization

Methods of Religious Socialization

Measuring the Impact of Religious Socialization

Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: Group Affiliation

Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: The Individual Approach

Sociological Measures of Religiosity: Multidimensional Measures

Internalization of Religion

Religious Conversion

Deconversion

Deprogramming

Conclusion

Notes

 

Chapter 6:    Religious Conflict

 

Conflict Theory According to Karl Marx

Religious Conflict in History

Contemporary Examples of Religious Conflict

Intrareligious Conflict

Challenges to Society from Religious Groups

Conclusion

Notes

 

PART III    RELIGION IN  SOCIETY

 

Chapter 7:    Religion and Politics

 

The Relationship of Religion and Politics

The Influence of Religion on Politics

Civil Religion

Religion and Politics in the Third World

Notes

 

Chapter 8:    Religious Fundamentalism

 

The Concept of Fundamentalism: Its Origin and Use

Protestant Fundamentalism

Jewish Fundamentalism

Islamic Fundamentalism

The Future

Notes

 

Chapter 9:    Religion and the Economy

 

Religion as an Economic Institution

Religion as a Shaper of Economic Attitudes and Behavior

An Assessment of the Relationship between Religion and Economics

Notes

 

Chapter 10:    Religion and the Class System

 

Differences in Religious Meaning and Expression among Social Classes

Differential Denominational Affiliation by Social Class

Social Stratification within Religious Groups

Stratification, Religion, and Race

Notes

 

Chapter 11:    Women and Religion

 

The Relationship of Women to Religion as Societies Evolved

The Historical Patterns

Contemporary Responses

Female-Dominated Religions

Predictions

Application of Rational Choice Theory

Conclusion

Notes

 

PART IV   RELIGION IN AMERICA

 

Chapter 12:    Major Historical Developments

 

Intolerant Beginnings

The Constitutional Compromise

The Frontier Challenge

The Ordeal of Pluralism

Religious Social Concern

The Post-World War II Revival

Notes

 

Chapter 13:    Black and Native American Religion in America

 

The Historical Development of the Black Church as a Social Institution

Militancy in the Black Church

New Themes in Black Religion

Other Religious Options for African Americans

Native American Religion

Notes

 

Chapter 14:    Denominational Society

 

The Multiplicity of Groups

The Diversity of Groups

Major Denominational Families

Special Interest Religious Groups

Ecumenism

The Megachurch Phenomenon

The Continued Viability of Denominationalism

Notes

 

Chapter 15:    The Future of Religion

 

Level of Religious Activity

The Growth and Decline of Membership

Impending Protestant Loss of Majority Religious Position

The Dilemmas of Roman Catholicism

Continuity in the Traditional Social Functions of Religion

The Factor of Secularization

The Conflict over the Purpose of Religion

Conclusion

Notes

                                                           

Index

                               

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