Review of 'Religion in the Modern World
From Cathedrals to Cults' by Steve Bruce

By Vexen Crabtree
2003 Jul 06

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Book CoverOxford University Press 1996. Quotes from this book across my web sites are from paperback edition of the same year.

"Religion in the Modern World" is a comprehensive look at most areas of religion in the West since the 16th century. It looks at large scale organized religion, denominations, sects, cults and the new age and gives a comprehensive sociological breakdown.


p3
Reformation led to fundamentalism
  • Referenced on Fundamentalism in Single-God Religions: Literalism, Intolerance and Sectarianism


    p22
    Fundamentalism causes schism
  • Referenced on Fundamentalism in Single-God Religions: Literalism, Intolerance and Sectarianism


    p32
    Numbers of baptisms taking place in the Church of England has declined from a peak of 71% in 1927 to 27% in 1993
  • Results printed onReligion in the United Kingdom: Diversity, Trends and Decline


    p41
    Charities are frequently secular, even those directly ran by Churches!
  • Referenced on Charity


    p41
    Faith-schools are better due to the selection process, and the staff are generally secular anyway! The actual faith-factor is irrelevant to quality of teaching
  • Discussed on "Faith Schools, Sectarian Education and Segregation: Divisive Religious Behavior" by Vexen Crabtree (2010)


    p46
    Multiculturalism leads to doubt & extreme believers & fundamentalism:
  • Referenced on Fundamentalism in Single-God Religions: Literalism, Intolerance and Sectarianism


    p56-58
    Responses to those who claim there is no decline in interest in religious beliefs.
  • Used on Stats: No decline in religious beliefs?


    p130-131
    Public tend to exaggerate the number of times they attend religious events, the actual attendance is generally half of the level of self-disclosure.
  • Referenced on Religious Stats: Self-Disclosure [Click to read more on this]


    p163
    Trend: Fundie groups become more liberal over time.
  • Referenced on Fundamentalism in Single-God Religions: Literalism, Intolerance and Sectarianism


    p165
    Causes/uniqueness of USA religion is ethnic identity and multiculturalism:
  • Referenced on Fundamentalism in Single-God Religions: Literalism, Intolerance and Sectarianism
  • By Vexen Crabtree
    2003 Jul 06

    Read / Write Comments