The Centrality of Religion in Social Life: Essays in Honour of James A. BeckfordEileen Barker James A. Beckford's work is internationally acclaimed not only in the sociology of religion, but also in other fields of the social sciences. Beckford has long been arguing that the distinctions that have grown up between the different sub-disciplines should be broken down, with those specialising in religion becoming more cognisant of new theoretical developments, and sociologists in general becoming more aware of the significance of developments in the religious scene.This book is a collection of essays written in Beckford's honour, drawing on a number of religious themes that have been central to Beckford's interests, whilst also offering a significant contribution to our understanding of the wider society. A central theme is modernity (and its relation to the post-modern), and how religion affects and is affected by the dynamics of contemporary society, with the primary focus of many of the chapters being a concern with how society copes with the minority religions that have become visible with the globalising tendencies of contemporary society. The contributors, who come from America, Asia and various parts of Europe, are all internationally renowned scholars. The volume opens with a short account of Beckford's contribution to Sociology by the editor; his most important publications are listed in an Appendix. |
Contents
Contexts Concepts | 15 |
The InnerWorld Mysticism and a Successful Social Integration | 85 |
The European Court of Human Rights Minority Religions and | 103 |
Learning from the Jehovahs Witnesses | 117 |
Can we use Conversion Accounts | 131 |
The Religious and the Political | 161 |
Religion Human Power and Powerlessness | 175 |
Centring on | 203 |
A list of James A Beckfords most important works | 233 |
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active American approach Association authorities Beckford become belief Britain British called Catholic cent century chaplaincy chaplains chapter Christian Church claims concept concerning considered constitutes contemporary conversion countries course Court cults cultural decisions discussion diversity ECHR established Europe European example experience expression fact faith forms France freedom French groups historical human important individual institutions interest International involved Islam issues Italy laïcité less London means minority Muslim mystical nature organisations organizations Paris particular political position possible practices present prison problem question recent References relations religious movements representative respondents result Richardson ritual role sects secular sense Sikh social society Sociology of Religion sources spiritual structure theory tradition understanding University University Press Witnesses