Gods in the Global Village: The World's Religions in Sociological Perspective

Abstract

About the Author Preface Acknowledgments 1. Religious Life in the Global Village Religion and the Globalization of Social Life Religion and the Sociological Tradition Tools of the Trade Three Pillars of Analysis: Beliefs, Rituals, and Institutions Major Themes in the Sociology of Religion 2. A Sociological Tour: Turning East Types of Religious Traditions Hinduism, or Sanatana Dharma Buddhism Sikhism Religious Life in China and East Asia 3. The Tour: Western Religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Prolegomena: The Ancient Greeks Judaism Christianity Islam Kinship Network Continuities in Judaism and Islam The Social Construction of Religious Traditions The Elementary Forms of Religious Life 4. Indigenous Religions Indigenous Beliefs Indigenous Rituals Indigenous Institutions Indigenous Environmentalism 5. The Religious Ethos Constructing a Religious Ethos Religion and Identity Construction Religion and Stratification Religious Taboo Lines and Ethical Systems Religion and Sexuality Religion and Politics The Ethos of the Global Village 6. Modernism and Multiculturalism From Local to Cosmopolitan The Challenge of Modernism Historical Outcomes of the Modernist Crisis The Modernist Crisis and the 21st Century The Crisis of Multiculturalism 7. Religious Movements for a New Century Civil Religion and Nationalism Religious Syncretism and Alternative Religious Movements New Forms of Religiosity Women's Movements Religious Environmental Movements Constructing and Reconstructing Religious Life 8. Religion and Social Conflict A Theory of Religious Conflict Religion and the Problem of Violence Religious Contributions to Nonviolence Islam and Nonviolence Chaos or Community? Notes References Glossary/Index