The End(s) of Religion: A History of How the Study of Religion Makes Religion Irrelevant

The study of religion has separated the "ends" or goals of religion, leading to institutional religion being increasingly irrelevant in contemporary Western culture. However, various cultural practices have met fundamental human needs, fulfilling what Bain-Selbo calls the "religion of culture." This suggests that other institutions or forms of culture can also serve these same needs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Eric Bain-Selbo contends that the study of religion, spanning philosophers, psychologists, historians of religion, and sociologists, has distinguished the "ends" or objectives of religion, thereby contributing to the decline of institutional religion in contemporary Western culture. Extensive evidence indicates the challenges faced by institutional religion, suggesting a lack of prospects for its resurgence in the future. This raises the possibility that we are witnessing the end of religion. Simultaneously, various cultural practices have converged in the past and continue to meet essential human needs, which we may previously have attributed to religious fulfillment. Bain-Selbo refers to this as the "religion of culture," fulfilling these needs through alternative institutions or cultural forms.

The End(s) of Religion delves into how the study of religion has shifted the perception of institutional religion, positioning it as merely one among many human institutions capable of addressing specific "religious" needs. This perspective challenges the notion of religion as the sole institution responsible for fulfilling these needs. Consequently, we gain insight into how other institutions or cultural forms can fulfill these same "ends."

The book explores the historical and cultural factors that have shaped this shift, examining how religious institutions have adapted to changing societal dynamics and evolving human needs. It also examines the potential implications of this shift for the future of religion and society, raising questions about the role of religion in a rapidly changing world.

Through its comprehensive analysis, The End(s) of Religion provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of religion and its place in contemporary culture. It offers a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between religion, culture, and society and sheds light on the possibilities for new forms of religious expression and fulfillment in the modern era.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350045255