The Secular Landscape: The Decline of Religion in America

by Kevin McCaffree

Overview

This book proposes a comprehensive theory of the loss of religion in human societies, with a specific and substantive focus on the contemporary United States. Kevin McCaffree draws on a range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, anthropology, and history to explore topics such as the origin of religion, the role of religion in recent American history, the loss of religion, and how Americans are dealing with this loss. The book is not only richly theoretical but also empirical. Hundreds of scientific studies are cited, and new statistical analyses enhance its core arguments. What emerges is an integrative and illuminating theory of secularization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319843605
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	07/12/2018
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2017
Pages:	287
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kevin McCaffree is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Indiana-Purdue University, USA.

Table of Contents

1. The Secular Landscape.- 2. Religion Explained.- 3. Religious America.- 4. Shades of the Secular.- 5. American Nones.- 6. The Future of Religion.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A thoughtful, thorough examination of religion and secularism in American society, with particular insight into the decline of the former and the rise of the latter. Historically-attuned and sociologically-rich, McCaffree's data-driven analysis of the rise of secularity is well-presented and more timely than ever.” (Phil Zuckerman, Professor of Sociology, Pitzer College, author of “Living the Secular Life”)

“This book offers one-stop shopping for readers interested in modern religion, particularly its manifestations (and lack thereof) in America. Drawing from and building on the work of other scholars, Kevin McCaffree offers numerous insights about secularization, American religion across different eras, the religious right, and the characteristics of non-religious Americans.” (Mark A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, University of Washington, author of “Secular Faith: How Culture Has Trumped Religion in American Politics”)

“Social science is rarely written with such obvious enthusiasm. McCaffree combines received wisdom, revisionist thinking and informed speculation in an engaging overview of America’s religious past and future.” (David Voas, Professor of Social Science, University College London)

“McCaffree’s work vitally illuminates various iterations of secularization alongside a perennially-changing American society. Drawing from sociologists’ timeless works regarding the nature of religion and religiosity, and drawing from other thinkers in their respective disciplines, McCaffree incisively makes visible secularity’s complex yet symbiotic relationship with social change in American life. In the process, McCaffree carefully tames the complexities of religiosity by disentangling it from a variety of positions about its decline in the United States.” (Jack Fong, Associate Professor of Sociology, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona)

“Kevin McCaffree’s The Secular Landscape: Religious Non-Affiliation in the 21^st Century United States provides a unique admixture of social scientific, philosophical, and cognitive perspectives on religious and non-religious thought and commitments. The synthesis of varied theories from multiple disciplines provides an exceptional framework for studying non-affiliation in the United States. It will certainly be an important work in the burgeoning field of secular studies.” (Darren E. Sherkat, Professor of Sociology, Southern Illinois University)