University of California Press God in the Tumult of the Global Square: Religion in Global Civil Society

How is religion changing in the twenty-first century? In the global era, religion has leapt onto the world stage, often in contradictory ways. Some religious activists are antagonistic and engage in protests, violent acts, and political challenges. Others are positive and help to shape an emerging transnational civil society. In addition, a new global religion may be in the making, providing a moral and spiritual basis for a worldwide community of concern about environmental issues, human rights, and international peace. God in the Tumult of the Global Square explores all of these directions, based on a five-year Luce Foundation project that involved religious leaders, scholars, and public figures in workshops held in Cairo, Moscow, Delhi, Shanghai, Buenos Aires, and Santa Barbara. In this book, the voices of these religious observers around the world express both the hopes and fears about new forms of religion in the global age. Review " God in the Tumult of the Global Square brims with insights on every other page. It shows how global civil society grounded in shareable religious culture is feasible, combining voices from across the globe. It brilliantly maps the cultural lives of religion across the world with lucidity."-- "LSE Review of Books" "Recommended."-- "CHOICE" "Should religion be viewed as a progressive or regressive force in world politics? Is it more likely to conduce to the spread of violence or to peacemaking? God in the Tumult of the Global Square frames the questions in a manner that is intelligent and thought provoking. It is concise and accessible, avoiding a highly technical vocabulary, and will be of interest to an audience extending well beyond scholars and specialists."-- "International Journal" "This volume may inspire academics in religion to expand on the authors's research and conclusions."-- "Library Journal" From the Inside Flap &;A remarkable study of the new forms of religion and conflict around the world,  God in the Tumult of the Global Square presents the state of religion and social upheaval in our modern era&;from Russia to Egypt, India to Argentina. The scope of this groundbreaking scholarship is truly impressive. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand religion and globalization in our time.&;&;Reza Aslan, author of Zealot and No god but God   &;This work is at the cutting edge of scholarship on religion and global civil society, clearly drawing on years&;even decades&;of immersion in the key debates. It is masterfully written: confident, clear, concise, thoughtful, and thought provoking.&;&;Jeffrey Haynes, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion, Conflict and Cooperation at London Metropolitan University From the Back Cover "A remarkable study of the new forms of religion and conflict around the world, God in the Tumult of the Global Square presents the state of religion and social upheaval in our modern era--from Russia to Egypt, India to Argentina. The scope of this groundbreaking scholarship is truly impressive. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand religion and globalization in our time."--Reza Aslan, author of Zealot and No god but God "This work is at the cutting edge of scholarship on religion and global civil society, clearly drawing on years--even decades--of immersion in the key debates. It is masterfully written: confident, clear, concise, thoughtful, and thought provoking."--Jeffrey Haynes, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion, Conflict and Cooperation at London Metropolitan University About the Author Mark Juergensmeyer is Professor of Sociology and Global Studies and Founding Director and Fellow of the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dinah Griego is Project Coordinator of the Luce Project on the Role of Religion in Global Civil Society at the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies at the Univers