This book combines insights from sociology of religion and theology to consider the fundamental changes that have taken place in how people think about God in contemporary Western society. It can be said that God has become irrelevant for many people, often as a result of well-grounded ethical critique of churches. Here the authors argue for the necessity of rethinking God-talk in a pluralist and changing context and for thinking critically about hegemonic ways of speaking about God from a moral and experiential perspective, not only from the point of view of abstract theology. Drawing on empirical material from a Norwegian setting, the book advocates a critical-constructive theology with a notion of God that takes human experience and social change seriously. It depicts a God who is an enabler of moral maturity rather than an authoritarian moral instructor, a God who is on the side of the marginalized and poor, and a challenge to unjust hierarchies.

An introduction to some of the most influential figures in contemporary social theory with an emphasis on their analyses of religion a major reference work in the field of social theory and religion because it offers new and in-depth insights that examine how influential social theorists think about religion and critically assess their contributions.

An introduction to some of the most influential figures in contemporary social theory with an emphasis on their analyses of religion a major reference work in the field of social theory and religion because it offers new and in-depth insights that examine how influential social theorists think about religion and critically assess their contributions.

Is it true that religion is weakening in modern times or are we facing religious resurgence? What is fundamentalism? How does it emerge and grow? Which role does religion play in ethnic and national conflicts? Is religion a fundamental driving force or do political leaders use religion for their own purposes? Do all religions oppress women? These are some of the questions addressed in this book. An Introduction to the Sociology of Religion provides an overview of sociological theories of contemporary religious life. Some chapters are organized according to topic. Other chapters offer brief presentations of classical and contemporary sociologists from Karl Marx to Zygmunt Bauman and their perspectives on social life, including religion. Throughout the book, illustrations and examples are taken from several religious traditions.