Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity (Religion and Spirituality in the Modern World) [Paperback]

"A fascinating and very timely book ... I feel sure that it will find a place in seminars, and on the shelves of any serious academic in the field." Karen McCarthy Brown, Drew University

<!––end––>"This book is essentially aimed at students in theology and philosophy, but I believe that it will also provide sociologists and historians with some fascinating and original material. An Excellent book" Dominique Macneill, University of Exeter

"Heelas has collected essays from scholars across the English speaking world. The result is the most comprehensive scholarly treatment of the benefits and imitations of postmodern description of religion yet available. Highly recommended for graduate level collections, suitable also for upper–division undergraduates, faculty and researchers, and professionals and practitioners." S.H. Webb, Walsh College

"The volume does collect together summative essays by a number of important thinkers, and everyone will find something of value here." Philip Goodchild, St Martin′s College

"Theology and the Sociology of Religion have traditionally been kept separate, and specialists in each field have often been suspicious of the other. This book brings both of them together for the benefit of both.... I was pleased to see that the bibliographies were not limited to works published in English, but also include many sources published in other languages. This way, having had their appetite whet by such compelling reading, both polyglot and the less–able linguist can find further intellectual nourishment." Dominique Macneill, University of Exeter

"... The volume collects together summative essays by a number of important thinkers, and everyone will find something of value here." Philip Goodchild, St Martin′s College

"Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity is an excellent collection of scholarly arguments about the state of religion, and religious studies, at the end of the twentieth centry. It is one of those books that will be read over and over again by graduate students and scholars for both ideas and content." Nova Religio

"This book is essentially aimed at students in theology and philosophy, but I believe that it will also provide sociologists and historians with some fascinating and original material. An Excellent book" --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"Heelas has collected essays from scholars across the English speaking world. The result is the most comprehensive scholarly treatment of the benefits and imitations of postmodern description of religion yet available. Highly recommended for graduate level collections, suitable also for upper-division undergraduates, faculty and researchers, and professionals and practitioners." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"The volume does collect together summative essays by a number of important thinkers, and everyone will find something of value here." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"Theology and the Sociology of Religion have traditionally been kept separate, and specialists in each field have often been suspicious of the other. This book brings both of them together for the benefit of both.... I was pleased to see that the bibliographies were not limited to works published in English, but also include many sources published in other languages. This way, having had their appetite whet by such compelling reading, both polyglot and the less-able linguist can find further intellectual nourishment." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity is the first book to engage the study of religion with contemporary theorizing about culture. It addresses important issues such as whether there are postmodern forms of religion, whether theories of religion framed in terms of modernity can be recast to suit new or emerging circumstances, and how the study of religion can be better integrated with recent developments in the study of culture.

Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity is the first book to engage the study of religion with contemporary theorizing about culture. It addresses important issues such as whether there are postmodern forms of religion, whether theories of religion framed in terms of modernity can be recast to suit new or emerging circumstances, and how the study of religion can be better integrated with recent developments in the study of culture.

The book locates the contemporary study of religion in terms of general theorizing, covering such issues as choice, globalization, and what postmodern religion might look like. International perspectives are then introduced, and the postmodernity thesis is explored in connection with Eastern Europe, Japan and Latin America, and the "New Europe". Liberalism and fundamentalism are also addressed in other contexts, including Indonesia.

In the concluding chapters of the volume the emphasis shifts away from the study of religion and cultural change to how postmodern thought, such as the rejection of metaphysics of presence, might serve to open up new theological possibilities.

Paul Heelas is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Lancaster. His last book, The New Age Movement (Blackwell, 1995), has met with critical acclaim and he is also a Series Editor for the new Blackwell series Religion and Modernity.

David Martin is a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Lancaster.