Rationalizing Religion: Religious Conversion, Revivalism and Competition in Singapore Society (Social Sciences in Asia, 13)

Disputing the secularization hypothesis, this book examines the relationship between religion and modernity, detailing and explaining religious conversion, revivalism, and religious competition in Singapore.There is intellectualization of religion, a shift from unthinking acceptance to rationalized religions. Examining modernity and religion this book disputes the widely-spread secularization hypothesis. Using the example of Singapore, as well as comparative data on religion in China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, it convincingly argues that rapid social change and modernity have not led here to the decline of religion but on the contrary, to a certain revivalism. Using qualitative and quantitative data collected over a period of twenty years, the author analyzes the nature of religious change in a society with a complex ethnic and religious composition. What happens when there are so many religions co-existing in such close proximity? Given the level of religious competition, there is a process of the intellectualization; individuals shift from an unthinking and passive acceptance of religion to one where there is a tendency to search for a religion regarded as systematic, logical and relevant. Examining Modernity And Religion, This Book Disputes The Widely-spread Secularization Hypothesis. Using The Example Of Singapore, As Well As Comparative Data On Religion In China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, And Malaysia, It Argues That Rapid Social Change And Modernity Have Not Led Here To The Decline Of Religion But On The Contrary, To A Certain Revivalism. Using Qualitative And Quantitative Data Collected Over A Period Of Twenty Years, The Author Analyzes The Nature Of Religious Change In A Society With A Complex Ethnic And Religious Composition.--book Jacket. Ch. 1. Rationalizing Religion -- Ch. 2. Religions In Singapore : An Analysis -- Ch. 3. Religious Conversion -- Ch. 4. Religious Participation And Religiosity -- Ch. 5. Traditional Chinese Customs And Rites -- Ch. 6. Religion And The State -- Ch. 7. Conclusion. By Chee Kiong Tong. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [299]-316) And Index. Disputing the secularization hypothesis, this book examines the relationship between religion and modernity, detailing and explaining religious conversion, revivalism, and religious competition in Singapore. It also analyzes the nature of religious change in a society with a complex ethnic and religious composition