Religion in Modern Europe: A Memory Mutates

European Societies

by Grace Davie

Religion in Modern Europe examines religion as a form of collective memory. This is a memory held in place by Europe's institutional churches, educational systems, and the mass media - all of which are themselves responding to rapid social and economic change. Europe's religious memory is approached in the following as vicarious-a particularly European characteristic, as precarious-especially among young people, and as it is portrayed by the media. The memory mayfragment, be disputed, and in extreme cases, disappear. Alternatives may emerge. The challenge for European societies is to affirm healthy mutations in religious memory and discourage others. The book also examines the increasing diversity of Europe's religious life. European Societies SeriesSeries Colin CrouchVery few of the existing sociological texts which compare different European societies on specific topics are accessible to a broad range of scholars and students. The European Societies series will help fill this gap in the literature, and attempt to answer questions such Is there really such a thing as a 'European model' of society? Do the economic and political integration processes of the European Union also imply convergence in more general aspects of social life, like family orreligious behaviour? What do the societies of Western Europe have in common with those further to the east? This series will cover the main social institutions, although not every author will cover the full range of European countries. As well as surveying existing knowledge in a way that will be useful to students, each book will also seek to contribute to our growing knowledge of what remains in many respects a sociologically unknown continent.

Genres: Sociology

231 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Haije Bergstra]

Only one thing to mention. This book focuses on religion in Europe from a sociological point of view and mentioned only televangelists and the charismatic movement as evangelical representatives. This is missed greatly. This movement, even in the year 2000, is on the rise in Europe.