Religion and Civil Society: Theoretical Reflections

摘要: Using World Values Survey data, this chapter begins with the global distinctiveness of European societies in terms both religious vitality and support for public role religion. They exhibit a secularity that has been challenged recent years by an unexpected return religion as contentious issue. The then asks, which theories social sciences can help to think constructively through challenges civil society such media-rich, religiously diverse, consumer-oriented secularised societies? It sociology religion, arguing while secularisation rational choice shed light on some developments, their conceptualisation culture is too static account institutionalisation limited capture dynamics sociocultural change contemporary societies. Anthropological approaches stress independent variable examine religion’s capacity functionalise within modern systems, political science seek elucidate processes democratic deepening cultural media studies reveal dialectical interplay between form, symbols discourse actors are seen useful pointers developing more nuanced approach better captures these dynamics.