God is Dead

Figures.

Tables.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

1. The Secularization Paradigm.

2. The Golden Age of Faith.

3. God is Dead: Christianity in Britain.

4. The Failure of the New Age.

5. Science and Secularization.

6. The Easternization of the West.

7. Regression to the Mean.

8. Subsistence Religion.

9. The Charismatic Movement and Secularization.

10. Discovering Religion: Mistakes of Method.

11. Religion in the United States.

12. Postmodernism and the Religious Revival.

Notes.

References.

Index.

'Steve Bruce's book has all the hallmarks of his work: clarity,
verve, graphic illustration and common sense. The argument is
Bruce's cumulative statement of the secularization theme, bringing
the various elements together in an impressive synthesis, as well
as building in counter-arguments, such as those to do with the role
of religion in ethnic solidarity. Within its own terms and specific
context - western liberal democracies, and especially Europe
- it is difficult to refute.'

--David Martin, London School of Economics

"Bruce's book is a compelling, vigorous and scrupulously fair
defense of what the secularization paradigm means and does not
mean. Highly recommended." (Library Journal)

"The sooner churches face up to Bruce's thesis, the better."
(Ministry Today)

"Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on
everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious
defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all
libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of
religion can afford to neglect it." (Choice)

"...the pace and style of Bruce's narrative, the crispness and
clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the
contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining
and enlightening book."

--Michael Rosie (British Sociological Association Network
Magazine)

"Readable, debatable, and full of important insights on
everything from the failure of New Age religions to a cautious
defense of the golden age of religion thesis, it is a book that all
libraries should own. No serious (or even casual) student of
religion can afford to neglect it." (Choice)

"This book is exactly what the back cover claims: a robust
defense of the secularization thesis...The writing and the
presentation are both concise and clear, offering a resource that
students will cherish." (Theology)

"[T]his volume is a welcome resource for teachers/scholars
interested in current theoretical disputes in the sociology of
religion as well as students of the religious change in particular
cultures of the West." (Religious Studies Review)

"[T]he pace and style of Bruce's narrative, the crispness and
clarity of his argument, and his frequent digs at aspects of the
contemporary mood...make God is Dead a truly entertaining and
enlightening book." (BSA Network)

Steve Bruce is the Professor of Sociology and Head of
Department of Sociology at the University of Aberdeen. He has also
held visiting posts at the universities of Virginia and Edinburgh.
He is one of the world's leading sociologists of religion and has
recently been elected a Fellow of the British Academy.

Professor Bruce has published 13 books and over 90 articles. The
following are his most recent books: Pray TV: Televangelism in
America (1990), Religion in Modern Britain (1995),
Religion in the Modern World (1996), Conservative
Protestant Politics (1998), Sociology: A Very Short
Introduction (1999), Choice and Religion (1999),
Fundamentalism (Polity, 2001), and Politics and
Religion (Polity, 2003).

S. Bruce, University Aberdeen