While a large percentage of Americans claim religious identity, the 
number of Americans attending traditional worship services has 
significantly declined in recent decades. Where, then, are Americans 
finding meaning in their lives, if not in the context of traditional 
religion? In this provocative study, the authors argue that the objects 
of our attention have become our god and fulfilling our desires has 
become our
 religion. They examine the religious dimensions of six specific aspects
 of American culture - body and sex, big business, entertainment, 
politics, sports, and science and technology - that function as "altars"
 where Americans gather to worship and produce meaning for their lives. 
The Altars Where We Worship shows how these secular altars provide 
resources for understanding the self, others, and the world itself. "For
 better or worse," the authors write, "we are faced with the reality 
that human experiences before these altars contain religious 
characteristics in common with experiences before more traditional 
altars." Readers will come away with a clearer understanding of what 
religion is after exploring the thoroughly religious aspects of popular 
culture in the United States. - from publisher.&nbsp;

The Altars Where We Worship: The Religious Significance of Popular Culture PDF

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