Religion and Civil Society: Rethinking Public Religion in the Contemporary World (Ashgate Religion, Culture and Society)...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 214 pages
• Published by: Ashgate Pub Ltd April 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0754613399
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0754613398
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 1.1 pounds

Product Description
Offering a fresh interdisciplinary approach to understanding religion in contemporary societies, this book provides a resource for students and researchers in religious studies, sociology, politics and political philosophy, theology, international relations and legal studies. Part one presents a critical introduction to the interaction between religion, modernization and postmodernization in Western and non-Western settings (America, Europe, the Middle East and India), focussing on discourses of human rights, civil society and the public sphere, and the controversial question of their cross-cultural application. Part two looks at religion and civil society through case studies of Egypt, Bosnia and Muslim minorities in Britain, and compares Poland as an example of a Christian majority society that has experienced the public reassertion of religion.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Religion and Civil Society: Rethinking Public Religion in the Contemporary World (Ashgate Religion, Culture and Society Series) (Hardcover) This is a challenging book from two perspectives. It challenges our presumptions about the place of religion in the public sphere. And, it is a challenge to absorb and interpret the amount of critical information Herbert presents. The division of the book into two parts, Competing Theories and Case Studies is most helpful. The Case Studies illustrate and expand upon the arguments presented in Competing Theories. The book is coherently written and its arguments clearly stated. I found myself pausing, on more than a few occasions, and reflecting on the implications of Herbert's observations in my own geographical context: Canada. That Herbert's perspective is "transcultural" strengthens his presentation. Further, to my mind, Herbert's rethinking calls for an "intellectual leap", on our part because if one is persuaded by his presentation one becomes committed to a new way of understanding relationships both public and private, individual and corporate. In short: "The picture has exceeded the frame." I would not consider this a definitive work but a serious exploratory work which sets parameters for future exploration. I read this book as a professional theologian and found its philosophy on the place of religion in public life amenable to the development Christian revelation. This book will retain its academic value for religious researchers and theologians for years to come.