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The internationally renowned group of contributors to this volume
focus on the patterns and processes connected with leaving
religion. The papers range from theoretical analyses of the
dynamics underlying religious exiting to case studies examining
specific instances of distancing from and departing from a
religious lifestyle. "Leaving Religion and Religious Life" provides
a much-needed investigation of the problem and its effect on formal
religious institutions as well as the individuals who elect to
dramatically alter their religious way of life.
The study of the basis of "authenticity" of any religious tradition
is one which has been seemingly neglected by secular, western
scholars. Those beliefs and practices deemed "sacred" are assumed
to have authenticity, at least by the adherents of the tradition.
Also, to many who are not adherents of the tradition, some of the
beliefs and practices may appear irrational, foolish or even
wicked. This volume addresses this issue, examining the "criteria
in use" by both secular and religious groups for deciding on the
authenticity of religious beliefs, experiences and practices. Part
I of this volume consists of three papers that examine how the
insitution of the state has been, and is, active in resolving
conflicting claims of authenticity. Parallels are drawn between
contemporary reactions to Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrim and the
early Medinans who were executed for making jokes about Mohammed.
Part II consists of four papers dealing with "authentication" as
the process by which three religious groups have sought to define
and enforce the legitimate boundaries of an established tradition.
Chapters examine the stresses between a Mormon intellectual
community and the hierarchical tradition of the church; the
contrast between the authentication practice of Old Order Mennonite
and Unitarian-Universalist congregations; and the emergence of an
evangelical coalition growing out of American fundamentalism. Part
III is a set of four case studies each focusing on a
"revitalization" movement, whilst Part IV deals with two
non-Western traditions - Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. The final
section of the book consists of an analysis by Anson Shupe of the
processes by which faith in traditional religious institutions is
undermined when trust of adherents is betrayed - either through
sexual or monetary exploitation. This book explains how governments
become involved in mediating religious disputes, how established
traditions deal with deviation from orthodoxy and how followers of
repressed traditions go about rediscovery of these traditions. It
is hoped that this volume will stimulate further examination of how
individuals judge authenticity in their religious attachments and
how religious traditions develop ways of thinking about and
managing claims about other traditions.
Religion on the Internet is the first systematic inquiry into the
nature, scope and content of religion in cyberspace. Contributors
to this volume include leading social scientists engaged in
systematic studies of how organizations and individuals are
presenting religion on the Internet. Their combined efforts provide
a conceptual mapping of religion in cyberspace at this moment. The
individual papers and collective insights found in this volume add
up to a valuable agenda of research that will enrich understanding
of this new phenomenon. Among the contributors are the founders of
three of the most important scholarly religion web sites on the
Internet: American Religion Data Archive, Religious Tolerance, and
Religious Movements Homepage.
Religion and the Internet is essential reading for all who seek to
understand how religion is being presented on the Internet and how
this topic is likely to unfold in the years ahead.
This volume argues that deviance is a central process in
contemporary American religion. It explores ways in which
definitions of deviance are negotiated between religious groups and
the surrounding culture.
Religion and the Social Order
Religion and the Social Order
Religion and the Social Order
Contrary to conventional wisdom, violent episodes involving cults are rare historically. But their potential to affect and disrupt civic life looms large and efforts to manage these incidents involve controversial issues of religious freedom, politics, state intervention, and public security. The interpretive challenge of this book is to provide a social scientific explanation for these rare events. The authors conclude that they usually involve some combination of internal and external dynamics through which a new religious movement and society become polarized.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, violent episodes involving cults are rare historically. But their potential to affect and disrupt civic life looms large and efforts to manage these incidents involve controversial issues of religious freedom, politics, state intervention, and public security. The interpretive challenge of this book is to provide a social scientific explanation for these rare events. The authors conclude that they usually involve some combination of internal and external dynamics through which a new religious movement and society become polarized.
This book updates and adds to the classic Social Movements of the
Sixties and Seventies, showing how social movement theory has grown
and changed_from an earlier emphasis on collective behavior, to the
resource mobilization approach, and currently to analyses that
emphasize culture, ideology, and collective identity. Top social
scientists combine insiders' insights with critical analyses to
examine a wide variety of social movements active in the most
recent U.S. cycle of protest. Waves of Protest is a must-read for
students of social movements, social change, political sociology,
and American studies.
The current controversy surrounding new religions has brought to
the forefront the role of apostates. These individuals leave highly
controversial movements and assume roles in other organizations as
public opponents against their former movements. This volume
examines the motivations of the apostates, how they are recruited
and play out their roles, the kinds of narratives they construct to
discredit their previous groups, and the impact of apostasy on the
outcome of conflicts between movements and society.
To find more information about Rowman & Littlefield titles
please visit us at www.rowmanlittlefield.com.
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