Linda Woodhead

Gendering Secularization Theory

Social Compass, 2008

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Secular privilege, religious disadvantage

British Journal of Sociology, 2008

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Five concepts of religion

International Review of Sociology, 2011

In the face of continuing debate about the adequacy and definition of the concept of ‘religion’, ... more In the face of continuing debate about the adequacy and definition of the concept of ‘religion’, this paper argues that it is necessary for the social sciences to become more self-critical about their various – and changing – uses of the term. As this paper shows, three main uses are currently dominant: religion as belief/meaning, religion as identity, and religion as structured social relations. By contrast, some uses which were once important are currently recessive, including Marxist approaches to religion as ideology, and Parsonian conceptions of religion as norms and values. Some new uses are also emerging, including ‘material’ religion, religion as discourse, and religion as practice. Drawing these together, the paper proposes a taxonomy of five main major uses of the term. It reflects on their adequacy, and points out where there are still occlusions: above all with regard to ‘super-social’ or ‘meta-social’ relations with non-human or quasi-human beings, forces and powers.

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Religion in Modern Times

Predicting Religion: Christian, Secular, and Alternative Futures

Sociology of Religion, 2005

... Sheffield. Formerly he was Chaplain and Director of Studies at Christ&#x27;s College, Cam... more

Predicting Religion: Four Case Studies

Religion, 2002

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