God in the Tumult of the Global Square

Book Description

In an era where spiritual boundaries dissolve and religious movements transcend national borders, faith communities find themselves navigating unprecedented global terrain. Mark Juergensmeyer examines how contemporary religion manifests in dramatically different ways across our interconnected world, revealing both its potential for division and its capacity for unity.

Drawing from extensive international dialogue involving religious leaders, scholars, and public figures across six continents, this exploration captures authentic voices from Cairo to Shanghai, Moscow to Buenos Aires. These conversations illuminate how spiritual communities respond to our shared global challenges, sometimes through confrontation and protest, other times through collaborative efforts toward peace and justice.

The book reveals an intriguing possibility emerging from this religious transformation: the potential birth of a new form of global spirituality that could provide moral foundation for addressing humanity's most pressing concerns. Environmental stewardship, human rights advocacy, and international peacebuilding become arenas where diverse faith traditions discover common ground.

Rather than offering simple answers, Juergensmeyer presents the complex reality of religion's evolving role in shaping civil society worldwide. Readers encounter both the anxieties and aspirations of religious observers as they witness their traditions adapting to global realities. This thoughtful analysis offers valuable perspective for anyone seeking to understand how spiritual communities contribute to our emerging worldwide community of shared concern and responsibility.