Description

The growth in religious diversity in democratic societies is one of the most striking social phenomena of the past two decades. Increased immigration flows, the collapse of communism, and the globalization of communications technologies have all fostered a wider variety of religious beliefs, practices, and organizations within and across democratic societies. In the US, vibrant Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu groups have expanded their presence alongside Christian and Jewish communities, and the demographic contours and institutional profiles of these more established groups has been transformed by immigration from Asia, Latin America, and the former Soviet bloc. In Europe, most states have a single dominant religious tradition, and none has levels of religious observance as high as those in the US. Nevertheless, there has been an unmistakable trend toward greater religious diversity and in particular a staggering rise in the Muslim population in Western Europe.

In this book, a group of leading scholars--including Peter Berger, John Esposito, Robert Wuthnow, Martha Nussbaum, Diana Eck, Stanley Hauerwas, and Miroslav Volf--examines the new religious pluralism and the challenges it poses for democratic societies on both sides of the Atlantic. What are the contours of this new religious pluralism? What are its implications for the theory and practice of democracy? Does increasing religious pluralism erode the cultural and social foundations of democracy? To what extent do different religious communities embrace similar -- or at least compatible -- ethical and political commitments? By seeking answers to these questions, this book offers a revealing look at the future of religion in democratic societies.

Product Details

352 pages; 6 line illus.; 6-1/8 x 9-1/4; ISBN13: 978-0-19-530729-0ISBN10: 0-19-530729-1

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