The
29th annual conference of the BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group
took place 29 March-1 April 2004 at Clifton Hill House, University
of Bristol. More than seventy participants-from Asia, North and South
America, and Europe-responded to papers and presentations on the conference
theme, 'A Sociology of Spirituality'. The first of four plenaries
was given by Jean Séguy, Directeur de Recherches Honoraire
at CNRS (Paris), former chief editor of Archives de Sciences Sociales
des Religions and author of ten books. His presentation, titled 'Sociology
and Spiritualities: The French Case', examined the boom of spiritual
life and its various manifestations observable in contemporary France.
He discussed what has been dubbed the 'craze for the inner life' emerging
from the post-war period up through the present time, and considered
the social functions of spiritualities both in the Church and in society
at large.
The second plenary
lecture,'The Embodied Spirituality of the Post-Boomer Generations',
was given by Richard Flory (Biola University), co-author of Gen X
Religion. This study (with Donald Miller, University of Southern California)-based
on interviews and ethnographic accounts in the U.S.-explored two emerging
forms of Post-Boomer spirituality, 'cultural reappropriators' and
'cultural innovators', and argued that Post-Boomers represent a new
religious type seeking spiritual experience and fulfilment through
community and various expressive forms of their spirituality, both
private and public. Their findings suggest that Post-Boomers are actively
seeking religious experience in different ways from their parents'
generation, from reinvigorating ancient symbols and rituals within
their own religious traditions, to borrowing from other traditions
and even creating their own rituals and symbols in the service of
embodied spiritual experience.
The third plenary
consisted of two parts. André Droogers, Director of the Hollenweger
Center at the Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam), gave the first address.
He outlined the ongoing research project, 'Between secularization
and "religionisation": a qualitative Dutch research programme'
which began in 2001. The project aims to study the varied and diffuse
forms of religiosity that are emerging within (and without) religious
institutions and combines five projects (each with a thematic focus)
that together examine the processes involved at the micro-level of
people's everyday practices and worldviews. Next Peter Versteeg (also
Vrije Universiteit) discussed 'Spirituality on the margin of the church:
Christian spiritual centers in the Netherlands' as an example of one
such study. He gave an overview regarding the organisation, ideology
and practices of Christian spiritual centres, followed by an analysis
regarding the ways these relate to broader processes of social and
cultural change in western societies.
Linda Woodhead
(Lancaster University) gave the final plenary lecture, 'Spirituality
Today: Findings from the Kendal Project'. She introduced the recently
completed Kendal Project (a locality study in Kendal, Cumbria, conducted
between 2000 and 2002) and discussed key findings derived from a strategic
combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The
main forms of associational activity (having to do with the sacred)
were the 'congregational domain' and the 'holistic milieu', and while
the study reaffirmed an overall decline in total numbers involved
in sacred activities, the growth in the holistic milieu, primarily
by women practitioners, portends an interesting recent development.
This seems to reflect the 'subjective turn of modern culture' and
to suggest that the sociology of spirituality ought to take gender
seriously.
In addition to
the plenaries, other highlights of the programme included the tour
of Clifton Cathedral, under the expert guidance of local organiser
Kieran Flanagan, and the Post-graduate forum, chaired by Mathew Guest
(University of Durham). The Forum provided a valuable opportunity
for students to exchange ideas, share experiences and network. The
gathering was well received by the fifteen attendees, who discussed
their research projects and also offered suggestions for future meetings.
The colloquy
was enriched further by a diverse collection of nearly thirty papers
organised in parallel streams. Many addressed the conference theme,
covering a range of topics such as Chile's Catholic elite, Japanese
charity workers, Dutch suburban spirituality, Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism,
gay rights, black gospel music, and spirituality in a UK school curriculum,
to name only a few. Papers likewise evinced an admirable array of
methodologies, including both empirical- and theoretical-based studies.
Perhaps most striking was the international make-up of this year's
conference, with participants drawn from continental Europe and beyond.
Japan, India, France, Holland, Malta, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Chile,
and the U.S. were all represented. Also notable was the collegial
atmosphere set by local organisers Kieran Flanagan and Peter C. Jupp
(both University of Bristol), along with other Study Group members
who assisted in the planning: James Sweeney (Von Hügel Institute,
Cambridge); Robin Gill (University of Kent at Canterbury), Peter Gee
(Overseas Development Institute); Sarah Potter (Ealing, Hammersmith
& West London College); Ben Pink Dandelion (Woodbrooke Quaker
Study Centre) and Mathew Guest (University of Durham). Many thanks
are extended to the team for a well-organised, intellectually-stimulating,
memorable event.
Finally, the
AGM was held on 29 March. Sylvie Collins (Kingston University) was
elected Treasurer. The Study Group wishes her all possible success
as she takes up her new role. Moreover, Mathew Guest (University of
Durham) graciously agreed to continue as Post-graduate Liaison Officer
for another year. The gratitude and best wishes of the whole membership
was expressed to outgoing Treasurer Sarah Potter (Ealing, Hammersmith
& West London College) for her dedicated service. Also during
the meeting, announcements were made about upcoming Study Group events.
Next year's annual conference will be hosted by Linda Woodhead at
Lancaster University. It will run 11-13 April 2005 and the theme will
be 'Religion and Gender'. This year's autumn Study Day will meet jointly
with the British Association for the Study of Religion (BASR) to help
celebrate that organisation's 50th anniversary (details to follow).
Lastly, the Post-graduate conference will be held at the University
of Bristol in January 2005.
Nancy A. Schaefer
