Religion In Modern Europe - A Memory Mutates

This text examines religion as a form of collective memory. This is a memory held in place by Europe's institutional churches, educational systems, and the mass media - all of which are themselves responding to rapid social and economic change Europe's religious memory is approached in the following ways: as vicarious; as a particularly European characteristic; as precarious, especially among young people; and as it is portrayed by the media.

The memory may fragment, be disputed, and in extreme cases, disappear. Alternatives may emerge. The challenge for European societies is to affirm healthy mutations in religious memory and discourage others. The book also examines the increasing diversity of Europe's religious life This book is intended for scholars and students of Sociology, Religion, Politics, European Studies, and Philosophy.

Review: Offers a nuanced reflection on belief and practice ... Grace Davie has once again done us a service in showing how complex the full story is likely to be British Journal of Sociology Here we have a wide, very readable and fascinating survey of the state of various religions and churches in Europe today, along with heretofore unexplored facets of the subject.

Further, if futurology is the name of the game, this book may be of some cheer to those who do not accept the inevitable end of religion, especially Christianity, as a driving or guiding force in European society International Journal of Education and Religion