Beyond Belief: Essays on Religion in a Post-Traditionalist World [Paperback]

Robert N. Bellah (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520073940 | ISBN-13: 978-0520073944 | Publication Date: June 11, 1991

Beyond Belief collects fifteen celebrated, broadly ranging essays in which Robert Bellah interprets the interplay of religion and society in concrete contexts from Japan to the Middle East to the United States. First published in 1970, Beyond Belief is a classic in the field of sociology of religion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone who is at all interested in the sociology of religion will want to own a copy of Beyond Belief if only to have access to 'Religious Evolution,' 'Civil Religion in America,' 'Transcendance in Contemporary Piety,' and 'Between Religion and Social Science.' . . . Most sociologists would not be brave enough to reveal the connection between their own deepest personal fears and longings of their professional work, and maybe most of us should not do so. But Bellah carries it off superbly. . . . His introduction notably improves the usefulness of the rest of the book, both as sociology of religion and as a record of the religion of a sociologist." -- Andrew M. Greeley, American Journal of Sociology

"[Beyond Belief] excellently illustrates the trends, methods and contributions which are being made today to the academic study of religion. It merits the careful attention of all who are seriously concerned about religion in contemporary society." -- John J. Mawhinney, Journal of Ecumenical Studies

About the Author

Robert N. Bellah is Elliott Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley and co-author of Habits of the Heart (California, 1985).

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (June 11, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520073940
• ISBN-13: 978-0520073944
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest view of Early Islamic Society, March 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond Belief: Essays on Religion in a Post-Traditionalist World (Paperback)

Though this book contains analysis of other civilizations , its author's insight into early islamic civilization is amazing. There are very few authors in the western world who have been able to overcome the crusade bias to depict the early Islamic society in a realistic manner. Though this is a highly specialised book in the field of sociology , it makes a good reading for an average reader interested in sociology and religion.