Routledge - Religion in Europe at the End of the Second Millenium

Explore the changing landscape of faith through a sociological lens with this work from Routledge. While many sociologists point to a general decline in religious practice across Europe due to the Enlightenment, science, and industrialization, this book offers a different perspective. Andrew Greeley challenges the standard frameworks that suggest secularizing forces like urbanization and the influence of Freud and Marx have permanently diminished the power of churches. Instead of relying on overarching theories that fail to account for diverse social phenomena, this text engages with the actual complexities of contemporary Europe. This book is an essential resource for students and professionals in anthropology and sociology. It provides a deep look into how religious life persists and evolves despite the demystification of the human condition. By examining contrary social patterns, it provides a more nuanced understanding of the religious realities at the end of the second millennium.