Beyond Belief: Essays on Religion in a Post-Traditional World
Quick Summary
Beyond Belief: Essays on Religion in a Post-Traditional World is a 1970 work by American sociologist Robert Neelly Bellah. The book explores changes in modern religious practices and how traditional religious societies can adapt to social change. Bellah applied economic theory to culture in this influential work.1
The book engages with the concept of secularization, a societal shift away from religion that has been debated by scholars. Bellah's work also touches upon the idea of "civil religion," which he believed should be encouraged within educational and legal systems due to its openness and tolerance. The book's themes resonate with broader discussions about the evolving nature of the sacred and religious expression in contemporary society.213
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