This is an unrivalled guide to contemporary religions. It brings together the methods of both the humanities and the social sciences to offer a cutting-edge introduction to the latest work in the study of religion. Religions in the Modern World is comprehensive in its coverage. It considers the main religious traditions of both Asia and the West, as well as new forms of religion and spirituality such as New Age. In addition to providing an historical introduction to each religion, the volume offers detailed and original analysis of their interactions with modernity. Topics covered include: religion, colonialism and postcolonialism; religious nationalism; women and religion; religion and globalization; securalization and sacralization; religion and authority; religion and the turn to self; the rise of new spiritualities. Religions in the Modern World is: * designed for those coming to the study of religion for the first time, as well as for those who wish to update their knowledge with the latest perspectives in the study of religion * Fully international in coverage, considering developments in North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australas and Asia * User-friendly and accessibly written by practising and specialist teachers: it includes case studies and anecdotes, text extracts, chapter menus and end-of-chapter summaries, glossaries and annotated further reading sections. * Fully illustrated with a wide variety of photographs, figures, tables and maps.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Studying Religion and Modernity Linda Woodhead Part 1: Asian 1. Hinduism David Smith 2. Buddhism Cathy Cantwell and Koko Kawanami 3. Sikhism Christopher Shakle 5. Chinese Religions 6. Japanese Religions Robert Kisala Part 2: Western 6. Judaism Seth Kunin 7. Christianity Linda Woodhead 8. Islam David Waines 9. Religion in Africa Charlie Gore 10. Native American Religions Howard L. Harrod 11. New age Religion Wouter Handgraaff 12. New Religious Movements Elisabeth Arweck Part 3: Themes and Trends 13. Secularization and Sacrelization Peter Berger 14. Religion and Globalizaiton David Lehmann 15. Religion and Politics Jeffrey Haynes 16. Religion and Gender Linda Woodhead 17. The Spiritual Revolution: From Religion to Spirituality Paul Heelas Index

Author Biography

The editors, Linda Woodhead, Paul Fletcher, Hiroko Kawanami and David Smith are all members of the Religious Studies Department at Lancaster University, one of the leading international institutions in the study of religion.