and “Sharot makes a substantial contribution to the maturation of the comparative sociology of religion. A distinctive feature of the book is its accent on popular religion, a much studied phenomenon these days . and “Martin MartyThe many books on the world’s religions typically emphasize doctrine ( religion and “in the air and “), while sociology of religion books typically emphasize behavior (religion and “on the ground and “). Stephen Sharot does both in this masterful study, the product of many years of research. His book should have great classroom potential as well as a prominent place on religion scholars’ bookshelves. and “–Phillip Hammond, D. Mackenzie Brown Professor of Religious Studies, University of California Santa Barbara and “This book belongs in libraries of all sorts. It strikes me as a paradigm of analytical comprehension that should set a standard for the field. and “– Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, September 2002 and “This is a commendably ambitious project…The coverage is excellent. and ” –Journal of Religion and “In his fine study Sharot succeeds in discerning a specific trajectory of popular religions. He has assembled a tremendous amount of evidence and arguments in favor of the independent existence and development of popular religion, effective still in the secularized world. and “–History of Religions and “He is adept at articulating overarching patterns of similarity and differences, and furnishes a much-needed synthesis of recent scholarship concerning many of the major religious traditions. and “–Contemporary SociologyA Sociology of World Religions presents a comparative analysis of the world’sreligions, focusing on the differences and interrelationships between religious elites and lay masses. In each case the volume contextualizes how the relationships between these two religious forms fit within, and are influenced by, the wider socio-political environment.After introducing the book’s major themes, the volume introduces and builds upon an analysis of Weber’s model of religious action, drawing on Durkheim, Marxist scholars, and the work of contemporary sociologists and anthropolgists. The following chapters each focus on major religious cultures, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Judaism, and the religions of China and Japan. This ambitious project is the first to offer a comparison of the popular, or folk, forms of religion around the world.Sharot’s accessible introductions to each of the world religions, synthesizing a vast literature on popular religion from sociology, anthropology, and historians of religion, make the project ideal for course use. His comparative approach and original analyses will prove rewarding even for experts on each of the world religions.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments viiI Concepts and Theories 11 World Religions, Elites, and Popular Religion 32 Religious A Weberian Model 203 Elites and Max Weber, Weberian Scholars,and Marxist Analysis 37II Religious Action in the World Religions 674 State Religion, Elites, and Popular Religionin a Syncretistic Milieu 705 Brahmans, Renouncers, and Popular Hinduism 1026 Nirvana and Buddhism and Animism inSri Lanka and Southeast Asia 1317 Hierocracy and Popular Catholicism inTraditional Europe 1668 Elite Scholars and Popular A Brief Excursuson Islam and Judaism 2029 Protestants, Catholics, and the Reform ofPopular Religion 21110 Comparisons 242 Notes 263 Bibliography 309 Index 337 About the Author 344

A Comparative Sociology of World Religions: Virtuosi, Priests, and Popular Religion by Stephen Sharot (2001-08-30) PDF

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