The Re-Enchantment of the West (Volume 1)

'In this lively and rigorous study, Chris Partridge refutes the accepted argument that religion is in decline in western societies, and demonstrates that alternative spiritualities are flourishing today. In my view this is a monumental work and should become a classic.' Daniel Wojcik, University of Oregon in Eugene 'This is among the most important books exploring the nature of contemporary life and makes an invaluable and unrivalled contribution to the study of contemporary culture.' Graham Harvey, King Alfred's College, Winchester Western society and culture is often described in sociological and theological texts as increasingly secular.;This work challenges this thesis and introduces the reader to the principal theories and debates about the state of religion in the West (secularization, sacralization, Easternization, the development of New Religious Movements etc.) In so doing it demonstrates the significance of popular culture in the construction of eclectic alternative spiritual worldviews in the West. One of the principal theses posited in this book is that there is a broad 'occulture' -- a reservoir of ideas, beliefs, theories, and practices from which new religions, alternative spiritualities, and popular culture all drink.Read less