Beyond Doubt

“Sociology professors Kasselstrand, Zuckerman, and Cragun examine the rise of secularization in this edifying entry. The authors draw on rich empirical evidence and careful analysis to make their case, and the global perspective is both ambitious and rewarding. Religion students and scholars will find this illuminating.” (Publishers Weekly) “Emphatically argues that when empirical measures and rigorous definitions are applied, religion declines. … The authors take aim at refuting the stances of sociologists Rodney Stark, Peter Berger, Grace Davie, Christian Smith, and others who said otherwise. They also sift through the global survey data on religious beliefs, behaviors, and belonging. From this, they posit that the rationalization and differentiation of modernism has had exactly the effect that secularization theory predicted it would: that religions will decline as societies develop.” (Library Journal) “Featuring multiple decades’ worth of extensive and comprehensive data, the authors defend and formalize secularization theory in a way that is compelling yet simple. Indeed, Beyond Doubt will be the defining text on the undeniable proof that secularization theory is correct and here to stay.” - Steve Bruce, author of Secularization: In Defence of an Unfashionable Theory “Presents critics’ arguments against secularization theory fairly, yet the case the authors make I think critics will find difficult to reject. This book will make a significant contribution, not just to the sociology of religion, but to anyone interested in the role of religion in society today.” - Jesse M. Smith, co-editor of Secularity and Non-religion in North America “Every reader of this book is likely to come away with challenging new ideas, some printed on its pages, and others intuited by the reader.” (Nova Religio)

Isabella Kasselstrand (Author)

Isabella Kasselstrand is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Aberdeen.

Phil Zuckerman (Author)

Phil Zuckerman is Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College, and the founding chair of the nation’s first Secular Studies Program. He is the author of several books, including What It Means to be Moral, The Nonreligious, Living the Secular Life, Faith No More, and Society Without God, and the editor of several volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Secularism and The Social Theory of W.E.B. Du Bois.

Ryan T. Cragun (Author)

Ryan T. Cragun is Professor of Sociology at the University of Tampa and coauthor of Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society.