Anthropology of Protestantism Contemporary Anthropology of Religion, The

By Joseph Webster

Book Description

Through the lens of contemporary anthropology, this compelling study reveals how ancient faith traditions continue to thrive in our modern world. Joseph Webster takes readers into the lives of Scottish fishermen whose millennialist Protestant beliefs shape their daily existence in profound ways.

Rather than viewing religion as a declining force in industrial society, this ethnographic exploration demonstrates how spiritual conviction creates what the author describes as an "enchanted" way of experiencing life. The fishermen's religious practices and worldview offer a window into understanding how faith intersects with economic realities, environmental challenges, and social transformation.

Webster's research addresses fundamental questions about religious conversion, spiritual radicalism, and the role of symbolic meaning in contemporary life. By examining how these individuals navigate their beliefs within the context of global economic pressures and environmental uncertainty, the book challenges common assumptions about secularization and modernity.

This anthropological study speaks to anyone interested in understanding how traditional religious communities adapt and persist in the twenty-first century. The work explores themes of materiality, language, and symbolic expression while documenting the lived experience of faith in a rapidly changing world.

For readers seeking insight into the enduring power of spiritual belief systems and their practical applications in modern life, this book offers a thoughtful examination of how religious conviction shapes identity, community, and daily practice in contemporary society.