Through in-depth interviews with 22 New Agers and Neo-Pagans, this study proposes a new model of religious identity from a sociological standpoint. The analysis demonstrates that in spite of their great diversity of beliefs and lack of strong organizational ties, a discernible community of alternative spiritualists does exist.
This volume will appeal not only to scholars of the sociology of religion, but also to sociologists interested in community building, social movements, and self-identity.
JON P. BLOCH is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Southern Connecticut State University./e His research and teaching interests include social theory, sociology of religion, and sociology of sex and gender.
Introduction
Conceptualizing Alternative Spirituality
Talking About Self and Community
Ideological Strains: Spirituality and Science
Other Dualisms: Earth/Sky, Goddess/God, Darkness/Light
Ideological Limitations
Mythology as Ideology
Conclusion
Appendix A
Appendix B
Bibliography
Index
![New Spirituality, Self, and Belonging: How New Agers and Neo-Pagans Talk about Themselves [Hardcover]](/itemImage/2/5/0/1/2_6346099.jpg "New Spirituality, Self, and Belonging: How New Agers and Neo-Pagans Talk about Themselves [Hardcover]")