Crossing the Gods : World Religions and Worldly Politics

"Crossing the Gods examines the sometimes antagonistic, sometimes cozy relationship between religion and politics in countries around the globe.". "Eminent sociologist of religion Jay Demerath traveled to Brazil, China, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and Thailand to explore the history and current relationship of religion, politics, and the state in each country. In the first part of this wide-ranging book, he asks, What are the basic fault lines along which current tensions and conflicts have formed? What are the trajectories of change from past to present, and how do they help predict the future? In the book's second part, the author focuses on the United States - the only nation founded specifically on the principle of a separation between religion and state - and examines the extent to which this principle actually holds and the consequences when it does not. By highlighting such issues as culture wars and religious violence, religion's different relations to politics versus the state, and the fluidity of individual religious identity, Demerath exposes the fallacies underlying many of our views on religion and politics worldwide.". "Finally, Demerath places within a comparative context the commonly held view that America is the world's most religious nation and argues that our country is not "more religious" but "differently religious." He concludes that the United States represents a unique combination of congregational religion, religious pluralism, and civil religion."--BOOK JACKET.

crossing The Gods Examines The Sometimes Antagonistic, Sometimes Cozy Relationship Between Religion And Politics In Countries Around The Globe. Eminent Sociologist Of Religion Jay Demerath Traveled To Brazil, China, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, And Thailand To Explore The History And Current Relationship Of Religion, Politics, And The State In Each Country. In The First Part Of This Wide-ranging Book, He Asks, What Are The Basic Fault Lines Along Which Current Tensions And Conflicts Have Formed? What Are The Trajectories Of Change From Past To Present, And How Do They Help Predict The Future? In The Book's Second Part, The Author Focuses On The United States - The Only Nation Founded Specifically On The Principle Of A Separation Between Religion And State - And Examines The Extent To Which This Principle Actually Holds And The Consequences When It Does Not. By Highlighting Such Issues As Culture Wars And Religious Violence, Religion's Different Relations To Politics Versus The State, And The Fluidity Of Individual Religious Identity, Demerath Exposes The Fallacies Underlying Many Of Our Views On Religion And Politics Worldwide. Finally, Demerath Places Within A Comparative Context The Commonly Held View That America Is The World's Most Religious Nation And Argues That Our Country Is Not More Religious But Differently Religious. He Concludes That The United States Represents A Unique Combination Of Congregational Religion, Religious Pluralism, And Civil Religion.--book Jacket.

Crossing the Gods examines the sometimes antagonistic, sometimes cozy relationship between religion and politics in countries around the globe.Eminent sociologist of religion Jay Demerath traveled to Brazil, China, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and Thailand to explore the history and current relationship of religion, politics, and the state in each country. In the first part of this wide-ranging book, he asks, What are the basic fault lines along which current tensions and conflicts have formed? What are the trajectories of change from past to present, and how do they help predict the future?In the book's second part the author focuses on the United States -- the only nation founded specifically on the principle of a separation between religion and state -- and examines the extent to which this principle actually holds and the consequences when it does not. Highlighting such issues as violence, globalization, and the fluidity of individual religious identity, Demerath exposes the fallacies underlying many of our views of religion and politics worldwide.Finally, Demerath places the claim of America as the world's most religious nation within a comparative context and argues that our country is not "more religious" but "differently religious". He argues that it represents a unique combination of congregational religion, religious, pluralism, and civil religion. Preface......Page 10 Introduction......Page 20 Part One: Circling the Globe......Page 30 1 Religion in Oppression, Liberation, and Competition in Brazil and Guatemala......Page 32 2 Troubles and Changes in European Christendom Poland, Northern Ireland, and Sweden......Page 55 3 Four Islamic Societies and Four Political Scenarios: Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia......Page 80 4 Two Multireligious “Mindfields” Israel and India......Page 111 5 Tracking Buddha through Thailand, Japan, and China......Page 147 Part Two Coming Home......Page 178 6 Culture Wars and Religious Violence......Page 180 7 Religious Politics without a Religious State?......Page 203 8 Taking Exception to American Exceptionalism......Page 234 Appendix A Multicomparativist on the Road......Page 266 Notes......Page 272 Index......Page 284