Religions in the Modern World

A sound analysis of the world’s religions must take account of the rapid changes that characterize the modern world. Historical transformations, accelerated during the past several centuries by colonialism, the scientific revolution, and economic globalization, have reshaped religious traditions. This book takes into account such factors whenever appropriate. Here we introduce four phenomena that will reappear frequently: modernization, urbanization, globalization, and multiculturalism. We give special attention to two features of modernization that are especially noteworthy for our study: the increasingly visible place of women within religious traditions and the encounter of religion and science.