Scholars examine the future of religion

TRICYCLE
By Andrew Cooper

What are religion’s prospects in an increasingly individualistic society? Religious evolution is an area rife with controversy—the validity of the term “religious evolution” itself is in dispute. Tricycle contributing editor Andrew Cooper speaks with prominent sociologist Robert Bellah. Few people can address the social dimensions of religion with the knowledge, insight, and eloquence of Robert Bellah. Through his teaching and, especially, his writing, Bellah’s ideas have traveled beyond the academy to influence the culture at large. "Unfortunately, neither fundamentalism nor New Age spirituality have any valid answers to the problems posed by our incoherent culture," [said Bellah] "Only a reappropriation of the great traditions through second naivete has any chance of doing that."[link]