Spiritual Revolution

Comparing existing evidence from the USA and Europe, with a UK-based study of religion and spirituality, this fascinating book addresses the most pressing question in the study of religion today: are new forms of spirituality overtaking traditional forms of religion?

Library Journal

In the aftermath of the recent U.S. presidential election, the media hit upon a key issue to which the outcome was directly attributed: moral values. Much ado was made of the sudden solidarity of these influential "values voters," whose behavior starkly belied dire predictions of advancing secularism. Does this indicate that traditional religions are indeed flourishing? Not according to Heelas and his coauthors (all Univ. of Lancaster, Great Britain). They suggest that a different kind of spiritual revolution is transpiring in Western culture, as evidenced by the experiential spirituality that has crept into commerce, healthcare, and the media. Methodical research in a single British town suggests that subjectivization is significantly affecting membership of traditional institutions; those not adapting to this need are showing signs of decline and attrition. The authors do not deny the evidence for secularization but contend that it exists paradoxically alongside one for sacralization. Ultimately, they predict that if holism continues to spread with its present vigor, a spiritual revolution will undoubtedly occur in the near future. Appropriate for college and institutional library collections as well as large public libraries.-Dina Komuves, Collingswood, NJ Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Paul Heelas is Professor in Religion and Modernity and Linda Woodhead is Senior Lecturer in Christian Studies, both in the Department of Religious Studies at Lancaster University, UK. They have written extensively on religion and spirituality in the modern world.