Religion in Rebellions, Revolutions, and Social Movements

Religion in Rebellions, Revolutions, and Social Movements presents fascinating historical material and demonstrates the importance of probing into the many uses of religion in transformational social contexts, as it has demonstrably played - and will likely continue to play - a significant role in socio-political developments and events of historical import. The volume is thus a welcome contribution to the study of the interactions between religion and politics, and is recommended to students and scholars of radical social change who harbor an interest in the role of ideology production for political mobilization, as well as in the a ordances of religion as an organizational factor in sustaining political action.

"Religion in Rebellions, Revolutions, and Social Movements brings together a wide range of topics and case studies centering religion in social and political change. Broadly speaking, the critical religion framework and analytic approach that guides many of the contributions will be of particular interest to scholars working within the humanities and religious studies... One of the key strengths of Goldstein and Reed's edited volume is the inclusion of a variety of relatively understudied cases that will be new to many social movement scholars."

Scott T. Fitzgerald, University of North Carolina Charlotte, USA, writing in Mobilization (2023)

"This book provides creative, detailed studies of ten cases of religious involvement in rebellions, revolutions, and social movements across history [and] also two chapters that address theory... [The editors] ground the volume in the critical theory of religion... It is to their credit that they have collected a fine set of very detailed studies that show some of the multiple ways that the politicality of religions works."

James V.

"Religion in Rebellions, Revolutions, and Social Movements, edited by Warren S. Goldstein and Jean-Pierre Reed, is an impressive collection exploring the many ways religion can be involved in political and social movements... One of the most important theoretical contributions of this book is its insistence that religion is not solely a force for progressive change but neither is it innately a tool to further conservative agendas... [Reed and Goldstein] give the impression of a very coherent conversation taking place in the book, indeed, one that develops and changes based on the contributions of the chapters within it. Many thanks to the volume editors and authors for contributing to this stimulating intellectual conversation."

Sarah E.

"The book is a groundbreaking and comprehensive anthology that delves deeply into the intricate relationship between religion and major societal upheavals throughout history. This book is a remarkable collection of fourteen essays and case studies that offer an insightful examination of how religion, often perceived as a conservative force, can also be a powerful catalyst for change, conflict, and transformation in the realms of economics, society, and politics... This book is a must-read for scholars and students in various fields, including the politics of religion, sociology of religion, religious studies, gender studies, and history."

Tarek Ladjal, Effat University, Saudi Arabia, writing in Politics and Religion Journal, 17:2, 437-439, 2023

"The book offers a stimulating exploration of religion's role in shaping sociopolitical landscapes. The theoretical perspectives and empirical insights from various historical cases can empower and challenge readers to engage in critical analysis and transformative action that can foster social change...Besides scholars, researchers, and students in the areas of Sociology and Religion, this book serves as an invaluable reference for social work scholars, practitioners, and community organizers, as it effectively illustrates the crucial role of religion in collective strategies and community-led solutions toward positive societal transformation."

Exxon B. Susmerano, Arizona State University, USA, writing in Sociology of Religion (2024)