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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Main Author: Samuel Stroope
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2011-12-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/2/4/676/
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author Samuel Stroope
author_facet Samuel Stroope
author_sort Samuel Stroope
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj.art-bf769631e0674c519174a052b30e1f682022-12-21T19:02:09ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442011-12-012467669210.3390/rel2040676Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social NetworksSamuel StroopeIn 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.http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/2/4/676/IndiaHinduismcongregationsorganizationssatsangmodernizationinstitutional differentiationrationalizationsocial networkssocial embeddedness
spellingShingle Samuel Stroope
Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks
Religions
India
Hinduism
congregations
organizations
satsang
modernization
institutional differentiation
rationalization
social networks
social embeddedness
title Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks
title_full Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks
title_fullStr Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks
title_full_unstemmed Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks
title_short Hinduism in India and Congregational Forms: Influences of Modernization and Social Networks
title_sort hinduism in india and congregational forms influences of modernization and social networks
topic India
Hinduism
congregations
organizations
satsang
modernization
institutional differentiation
rationalization
social networks
social embeddedness
url http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/2/4/676/
work_keys_str_mv AT samuelstroope hinduisminindiaandcongregationalformsinfluencesofmodernizationandsocialnetworks