The Problem with Religion

Abstract

This chapter focuses specifically on religion(s) within the complex of ‘race, ethnicity, culture and religion’. It describes the sociological character of religion and locates this in the context of globalisation, migration and multicultural/multi-faith societies and a growing emphasis on religion on the part of both governments and academics. This stems not only from diversity, but also from the assertion of a global resurgence of religion which is paralleled by a theoretical/ideological shift that challenges secularisation and, indeed, Enlightenment thinking and claims a place for religion in the public arena. Yet in the context of ethnic diversity, religion may create or exacerbate social tensions and is itself responsible for inequality and oppression on a number of dimensions which we explore in this chapter.