God is Dead

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'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 ?peGif|c cohtext - western liberal democracies, and especially Europe,- it i^'difficult to refute.' David Martin, formerly London ScrtopI of Économies
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 defence of the secularization paradigm, Bruce... Tovább

Fülszöveg

'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 ?peGif|c cohtext - western liberal democracies, and especially Europe,- it i^'difficult to refute.' David Martin, formerly London ScrtopI of Économies
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 defence of the secularization paradigm, Bruce elaborates just what Weber, Dürkheim, 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.
Steve Bruce is the Proffessor 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 world's leading sociologists of religion and has published 13 books and QVer 90 articles. The following are his most recent books: Pray TV: Televangelism in America (1990), Religion in Modern Britain (1995), Religion in the Modern 1/1/br/af (1996), Conservative Protestant Politics (1998), Sociology: A Very Short Introduction (1999), Choice and Religion (1999), Fundamentalism {PoWty, 200V.
Cover illustration: photography of Armley, West Yorkshire, © Roger Scruton/Collections Cover design by .Raven Design Printed in the iJnited Kingdom ; ., Visit our website at
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