Pearson Techonology Group - Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion

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Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion 7/e

Ronald L. Johnstone Emeritus Dean
Published September 2003 by Prentice Hall
Copyright 2004, 400 pp., Paper
ISBN: 0-13-111392-5

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$63.00
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Preface

Summary

This book offers a sound analysis of religion as a social institution that is interdependent and in constant interaction with other societal units. It helps readers understand the role and function of religion in society that occur regardless of anyone's claims about the truth or falsity of religious systems. Balanced and unbiased, it shows the sociology of religion as a subject that is rich and bountiful. KEY TOPICS: The focus is on American religious institutions, but includes many examples of the interaction of religion and society in other cultures both historic and contemporary; readers will encounter major discussions of Islam and other non-Western religions. MARKET: For sociologists, clergy, and researchers in the fields of religion and religious studies.

Features

NEW - Introduction to rational choice theory—Includes this important recent application of economic theory to the sociology of religion.
- Helps students more clearly understand the persistence of religion.

NEW - Expanded discussion of New Religious Movements (religious cults)—Includes consideration of three non-Western cults: Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God (Uganda); The Falun Gong (China); and Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda (Afghanistan).
- Helps students understand that cults are not unique to Western/Christian societies.

NEW - Discussion of Muslim-Christian, Muslim-Hindu, Hindu-Christian, and Hindu-Muslim-Sikh inter-religious conflict in Asia.
- Gives students a better sense of the scope of religious conflicts—showing them that they are not confined to one region of the world.

NEW - Updated U.S. Supreme Court cases—Updated through 2002; includes additional discussions of church-state cases such as public school prayer, school tuition vouchers for religious schools, and objections to the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Provides students with a look at contemporary issues by giving them familiar topics that interest them today.

NEW - Substantial new section on the Third World Islamic movement as politico-religious—Includes the concept of Jihad, the emergence of al Qaeda, its relationship to terrorism, and the parallels to the Christian tradition.
- Shows students how the universal institutions of religion and politics are thrown continually together to interact and influence.

NEW - Updated data sets about the influence of women in religion—Includes information from the 2000 U.S. Census.
- Demonstrates to students that women are major participants in religious change.

NEW - Expanded discussion of the Black church.
- Provides students with particular discussions of American socioreligious developments.

NEW - Discussion of the challenges to the Catholic Church—Discusses conflicts in the Southern Baptist Convention and the membership decline in Protestantism. Includes the challenges to the teachings and authority by lay members.
- Helps students appreciate the continuous challenges to religious tradition.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION.

1. The Sociological Perspective.

2. The Sources of Religion.

3. Religion as a Group Phenomenon.

4. Becoming Religious.

II. RELIGION AS SOCIAL ORGANIZATION.

5. The Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization.

6. Religious Conflict.

III. RELIGION IN SOCIETY.

7. Religion and Politics.

8. Religious Fundamentalism.