Religion - from Obligation to Consumption

A paper delivered by leading sociologist of religion Dr Grace Davie of Exeter University to a joint ecumenical diocesan schools conference in South Wales in 2003. The presentation derives from project directed by the Institute on Religion and World Affairs at Boston University.

It offers an interesting analysis of nominal churchgoing in Northern European Protestant countries, and observations on the impact of the growing Islamic presence in Europe

Permission for Dr. Davie to reproduce this text was granted by the project directors - Professor Peter Berger and Mme. le professeur Daniele Hervieu-Leger. The final section of the presentation drew on material from Dr. Davie's 'Europe: the Exceptional case.  Parameters of Faith in the Modern World' published by Darton, Longman and Todd. You can download it here