Are new forms of spirituality overtaking traditional forms of religion?
This volume provides a theoretical perspective which explains both
secularization and sacralization and offers some predictions about the future
of religion and spirituality in the west.Are we living through a 'spiritual revolution' in which traditional forms
of religion are giving way to new forms of spirituality? Are yoga, reiki and
other forms of holistic practice set to become more popular than churchgoing?
This book addresses these questions by presenting findings from a major
research project designed to chart the state of religion and spirituality
today. Though it finds little to support more extreme claims of change, it
discovers that spiritualities which engage with the depths of personal
experience are faring far better than religions that demand conformity to
higher truth. These developments are explained by drawing attention to the
significance of a 'subjective turn' in the wider culture - whereby conformity
to external obligations becomes less important than sensitivity to inner life
and wellbeing.
