Learning Objectives

14.1   How do sociologists define religion, religiosity, and spirituality?

14.2   What are pluralism and secularization?

14.3   What is fundamentalism?

14.4   What are the current trends in religious affiliation and participation in the United States?

14.5   How does the process of global diffusion apply to religion?

14.6   How does each of the major theoretical paradigms in sociology explain religion?

14.7   What are some recent examples of how religion has fostered social change efforts?