Australian Soul
Religion and Spirituality in the 21st Century
Published on 16. November 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-0-521-67389-1 (ISBN)
Description
Australian Soul challenges the idea that religious and spiritual life in Australia is in decline. This fascinating book describes the character of religious and spiritual life in Australia today, and argues that, far from petering out, religion and spirituality are thriving. Gary Bouma, the leading expert on the state of religious life in Australia, provides the most up-to-date facts and figures and compares the 'tone' of Australian religious practices with those of other countries. Australians might be less vocal and more reticent about their religion than Americans are, but their religious and spiritual beliefs are no less potent. Australian Soul describes and analyses our religious and spiritual life in detail as well as providing a series of case studies that illustrate the range of practices and beliefs in Australia today. Australian Soul predicts a vital future for religion and spirituality.
Reviews / Votes
'Bouma's references to theoretical and research resources are authoritative and, in my view, worth the value of the book. The suggested reading, references and index at the back of the book are second-to-none. The book is strong on analysis, diagnosis, trends, surveys, and aetiology, rather than prescription.' Insights 'The Professor ... is positive about the remaining and growing 'spirituality' outside, as well as inside, organised religion.' Church TimesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
371 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-67389-1 (9780521673891)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2007
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€47.49
Available for download
Person
Professor Gary Bouma is head of the School of Political and Social Inquiry at Monash University. He holds the UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations - Asia Pacific and is Chair of the Standing Committee on Ethics in Research Involving Humans. He is the author of numerous works on the interaction between religion and society in Western countries including Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Content
Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction - spirituality, sacred places and religion in Australia; 2. The qualities of spiritual and religious life in Australia; 3. The quantities of spiritual and religious life in Australia; 4. Cultural changes affecting Australian spirituality and religion; 5. The changing social location of religion and spirituality; 6. The mainstream - from Christendom to comfortable on the margins; 7. Responding to the future; 8. Religion, spirituality and Australian social policy; 9. Signs of hope in the 21st century; References; Further reading; Index.