Possession, Power and the New Age - Ambiguities of Authority in Neoliberal Societies (Paperback)

This book provides a new sociological account of contemporary religious phenomena such as channelling, holistic healing, meditation and divination, which are usually classed as part of a New Age Movement. Drawing on his extensive ethnography carried out in the UK, alongside comparative studies in America and Europe, Matthew Wood criticises the view that such phenomena represent spirituality in which self-authority is paramount. Instead, he emphasises the role of social authority and the centrality of spirit possession, linking these to participants' class positions and experiences of secularisation. Informed by sociological and anthropological approaches to social power and practice, especially the work of Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault, Wood's study explores what he calls the nonformative regions of the religious field, and charts similarities and differences with pagan, spiritualist and Theosophical traditions.

General

Imprint:	Taylor & Francis
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Theology and Religion in Interdisciplinary Perspective Series
Release date:	December 2021
First published:	2007
Authors:	Matthew Wood
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 16mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	214
ISBN-13:	978-1-03-224350-4
Categories:	Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Area / regional studies > General Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Contemporary non-Christian & para-Christian cults & sects > Spiritualism Books > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Contemporary non-Christian & para-Christian cults & sects > Spiritualism Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > General
LSN:	1-03-224350-3
Barcode:	9781032243504

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!