Abstract:

This paper aims to respond positively to the criticism sometimes expressed in forms of realism in Religious Studies—that social constructionist perspectives throw relatively little light on religion. These perspectives frame social and cultural phenomena as the result of the claims making, negotiation and contestation that underlie all social processes, structures and interactions—both formal and informal. After considering the philosophical objections to constructionism, the paper will present a range of empirical evidence showing that investigation of the social processes involved in negotiating and challenging the meaning of religion should be central to sociological analysis of religious phenomena. Special attention will be given to the incidence of religion in unexpected places.

Author: James A. Beckford