Identity and community

Book Description

In a world where religious identity shapes both personal meaning and community belonging, L. Shannon Jung offers readers a thoughtful exploration of how faith traditions influence our understanding of ourselves and our place in society. Drawing from diverse academic disciplines including sociology, psychology, theology, ethics, and comparative religion, this accessible introduction examines the religious dimension of human experience across a remarkable spectrum of communities.

Jung's investigation spans from the intense devotion of snake-handling congregations to the contemporary appeal of youth-oriented beach churches, while also exploring major world traditions including Hinduism and Judaism alongside various mainline denominations. This broad perspective reveals how different religious expressions address fundamental questions of identity and community formation in both personal and societal contexts.

Rather than simply cataloging religious practices, the author weaves together individual stories with broader social patterns to illuminate how faith communities shape their members' sense of self and belonging. The book combines scholarly insight with popular accessibility, making complex religious phenomena understandable without sacrificing depth.

Beyond analysis, Jung provides a forward-looking perspective on organized religion's future, offering alternative visions for how religious communities might evolve. This prophetic dimension adds practical value for readers seeking to understand not only where religious identity has been, but where it might be heading in our changing world.