Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks

In light of increased scholarly interest in the scientific study of non-Christian religions and societies, I review sociological research on Hinduism. Specifically, I focus on Hindu congregational forms, a phenomenon noted in social scientific literature. Drawing on existing theories from the sociol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Religions
Main Author: Stroope, Samuel (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: MDPI [2011]
In: Religions
Further subjects:B Modernization
B Congregations
B Social Networks
B satsang
B Organizations
B Hinduism
B institutional differentiation
B Rationalization
B Social Embeddedness
B India
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:In light of increased scholarly interest in the scientific study of non-Christian religions and societies, I review sociological research on Hinduism. Specifically, I focus on Hindu congregational forms, a phenomenon noted in social scientific literature. Drawing on existing theories from the sociology of religion, this article illuminates possible social sources of Hindu congregational forms. Two preliminary sources are proposed and possible mechanisms elaborated: (1) modernization and (2) social networks. I conclude by proposing several new directions for research on Hindu congregational forms. These arguments and proposals offer directions for expanding understanding of how theories in the sociology of religion might operate beyond Christianity and the West.
ISSN:2077-1444
Contains:Enthalten in: Religions
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.3390/rel2040676