Practicing safe sects : religious reproduction in scientific and philosophical perspective /
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Where do gods come from - and what is the cost of bearing them? In Practicing Safe Sects F. LeRon Shults argues for the importance of having "the talk" about the causes and consequences of participating in religious sects. To survive and thrive as a social species, we humans are likely to continue needing some kind of sects (as well as sex) for quite some time. But can we learn how to practice safe sects? Can we live together in healthy and productive social networks without reproducing the superstitious beliefs and segregative behaviors that are engendered and nurtured by shared ritual engagement with imagined supernatural agents? In this provocative and timely book, Shults provides scientific and philosophical resources for answering these questions.
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1 online resource (xi, 306 pages) :
Includes bibliographical references and index. :
9789004360952 :
1877-8542 ; :
Available to subscribing member institutions only.
Ecclesial identification beyond late modern individualism? : a case study of life strategies in growing late modern churches /
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Why do some late modern churches grow, counter to the trend in Western Europe? Why do people identify with such churches - and does identification lead to morally transforming commitments beyond late modern consumerism? This case study investigates these questions based on 'real life' or empirical research, which include both the level of individual life strategies and organisational practice in two growing European churches. This innovative and interdisciplinary study draws on recent findings in theology, moral philosophy, sociology and organisational psychology. Its findings may prove useful not only for scholars in these disciplines, it may also enrich the reflection of practitioners who seek to perform the difficult art of transformational leadership in a late modern context.
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Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral)--Norwegian School of Theology, 2009. :
1 online resource (xx, 385 pages) : illustrations. :
Includes bibliographical references (p. [373]-381) and index. :
9789004184800 :
1876-2247 ; :
Available to subscribing member institutions only.