God is Dead

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.

ISBN 0631232753   Pages 288 ISBN13 9780631232759 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd   Weight (grammes) 402 Imprint Blackwell Publishers   Published in Oxford Format Paperback   Series title Religion and Spirituality in the Modern World Publication date 08 Apr 2002   Height (mm) 229 Non-book description xv, 269 p. ;   Width (mm) 157 Library of Congress BL2747.8.B, BL2747.8.B   Spine width (mm) 15 DEWEY 306.6   Academic level Undergraduate, Professional / Scholarly, Postgraduate DEWEY edition DC21

		Figures
		Tables
		Preface
		Acknowledgements
1		The Secularization Paradigm		1
2		The Golden Age of Faith		45
3		God is Dead: Christianity in Britain		60
4		The Failure of the New Age		75
5		Science and Secularization		106
6		The Easternization of the West		118
7		Regression to the Mean		140
8		Subsistence Religion		151
9		The Charismatic Movement and Secularization		167
10		Discovering Religion: Mistakes of Method		186
11		Religion in the United States		204
12		Postmodernism and Religious Revival		229
		Notes		242
		References		248
		Index		264

'Steve Bruce's book has all the hallmarks of his work: clarity, verve, graphic illustration and common sense. The argument is Bruce's 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 "Bruce's 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 Bruce's 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 Bruce's 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 Bruce's 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)

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