Sacred Selves, Sacred Settings

As a sociologist, Hans Mol significantly influenced the sociological study of religion by developing ideas of identity. This biography brings current social-religious topics to sharp focus as international scholars analyse, challenge, and apply Mol's theoretical assertions. This biographical material supports the overall content by describing Mol's key intellectual influences, and the way they offer a fresh perspective upon popular subjects such as secularization, pluralism, and the place of religion in the public sphere.

Contents: Introduction, Douglas J. Davies. Part I Hans Mol (Re)Considered: Hans Mol, Adam J. Powell; Mol's sociology: social theory, dialectics and Hegel's shadow, Louis Greenspan; Mol, science, religion and narrative identity, Ian Weeks and Petra Brown. Part II Revisiting Themes: Pluralism, Secularism and Contested Borders: The secularization of the sanctity of life and death, Karel Dobbelaere; The public role of religion, Roberto Cipriani; Religion fixed and fickle: the contemporary challenge of religious diversity, Douglas Pratt; From secularist to pluralist: post-World War II Australia, Desmond Cahill; Contextual theology and religious discourse in Indonesia, James Haire. Postscript: reflections of a sociologist-priest, Gary D. Bouma; Select Bibliography of Hans Mol; Index.