Roundtable on the Sociology of Religion: Twenty-Three Theses on the Status of Religion in American Sociology--A Mellon Working-Group Reflection (original) (raw)
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Twenty-Three Theses on the Status of Religion in American Sociology
American sociology has not taken and does not take religion as seriously as it needs to in order to do the best sociology possible. Despite religion being an important and distinctive kind of practice in human social life, both historically and in the world today, American sociologists often neglect religion or treat it reductionistically. We explore several reasons for this negligence, focusing on key historical, conceptual, methodological, and institutional factors. We then turn to offer a number of proposals to help remedy American sociology's negligence of religion, advance the study of religion in particular, and enhance sociology's
Social compass, 1994
This article examines the way textbooks in the United States treat the sociology of religion, in order to uncover the place of this subdiscipline in U.S. sociology. Introductory textbooks--the primary source of knowledge about sociology for most U.S. undergraduates--are heavily Parsonian in structure. They portray the sociology of religion as the study of a particular institutional sphere, and focus on that sphere's contribution to the maintenance of beliefs, values, and social solidarity. Though they cover many of the topics investigated by sociologists of religion in the last 30 years, and cite current research, they mention almost none of the subdiscipline's theoretical innovations. They apply theories from other sociological fields to religious topics, but do not apply the insights developed by sociologists of religion to other areas.
North American sociology of religion: Critique and prospects
Critical Research on Religion, 2013
We assess the current state of sociology of religion, particularly in the United States, for the extent to which a ''critical sociology of religion'' currently exists and how it might look if it did. We focus particular attention on two areas of inquiry: religion and health; and religion and violence.
Religion will remain a vital arena of research among sociologists not only because religious dynamics are ubiquitous, but also—as revealed in essays in this special issue—because our research findings are so often distorted if religion is ignored. Noting the many ways scholars find their way to their research subjects, the future of published scholarship in the sociology of religion must depend less on faithful adherence to established concepts and debates, and more on welcoming and extending new questions and approaches to religion. Finally, editors and reviewers of developing and forthcoming scholarship should continue to affirm religion as a highly flexible arena of investigation, regardless of whether it fits a tight framing of whatever seems to constitute the “sociology of religion.”
Old, New, And Emerging Paradigms In The Sociological Study Of Religion
Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, 2017
This article argues that a significant shift is taking place in the sociological study of religion, and seeks to outline its main features. In order to do so it returns to Stephen Warner's classic article of 1993 which drew a contrast between 'old' and 'new' paradigms in the sociology of religion. It develops Warner's analysis by setting these paradigms in their European and American contexts respectively, and argues that there are signs of a third, 'emerging' paradigm which moves beyond these dichotomous alternatives. Not by coincidence, the emerging paradigm also moves beyond methodological nationalism, taking a more global view of religion. In addition, it breaks free from captivity to a single theoretical perspective (whether 'secularisation'/religious decline or 'rational choice'/religious vitality), and embraces broader theoretical, conceptual, and methodological possibilities.
Recent Developments and Current Controversies in the Sociology of Religion
Annual Review of Sociology, 1999
The sociology of religion is experiencing a period of substantial organizational and intellectual growth. Recent theoretical and empirical papers on the sociology of religion appearing in top journals in sociology have generated both interest and controversy. We begin with a selective overview of research on religious beliefs and commitments. Second, we investigate the influence of religion on politics, the family, health and well-being, and on free space and social capital. Finally, we review rational choice theories in the sociology of religion and the controversies surrounding applications of these perspectives.
The End of the Sociological Critique of Religion
It has been said that after the publication of John Milbank’s Theology and Social Theory (1990), the sociological critique of religion is no longer possible since, as Milbank demonstrates, sociology cannot escape its theological origins, assumptions, and therefore its theological constitution. Milbank’s tour de force is breathtaking in its scope and involves an erudite treatment of the historical and philosophical foundations upon which contemporary sociology bases itself. Much like St. Augustine’s approach in his De civitate Dei, Milbank draws out the contrasts that emerge between Christianity and the so-called secular sphere when contemporary sociology, arguably the primary foundation of contemporary secular thought, is unmasked as another religious narrative. Within the context of this exposition, Milbank argues that Christian theology provides an equally, if not more, effective discourse and resource for the art of polis-making. Theology and Social Theory is an achievement that easily induces fatigue to the scholar who seeks to plum its pages in hopes of unraveling the many arguments that comprise its major theses. The modest aim of this presentation is to draw out and analyze four or five of the primary arguments that ground the consequences of Milbank’s Theology and Social Theory in hopes of stimulating interest in this important work as well as stimulating thoughts and discussions about the controversial claim that the sociological critique of religion is no longer possible.
Critical Reflections on the Category of Religion in Contemporary Sociological Discourse
Nordic Journal of Religion and Society (2015), 28 (1): 21–36, 2015
For some decades, the academic concept of religion has been examined critically by a number of scholars. There have been some sociological responses to these criticisms against ‘religion’. This article argues that these sociological responses have missed important implications of these criticisms, which can be constructively incorporated into sociological discourse about religion. What can be meaningfully studied is the practice of classification carried out with the term ‘religion’ and norms and imperatives which govern and naturalise a specific discursive configuration of the religious-secular dichotomy. This approach indicates the vacuum in the sociological discourse of religion, which needs to be filled with empirical research, in order to map and theorize the ways in which people utilize the term ‘religion’ in a specific social context.
Editorial Vision for Sociology of Religion
2007
This, the first issue of Sociology of Religion to appear under my editorship, has been a long time coming. I began preparing for my tenure as editor in the fall of 2004, shortly after I was appointed by the Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR) council, and have been receiving manuscripts since September 2005.