Popular Forms of Religiosity

Abstract

This chapter considers the relevance of the more hidden expressions of religiosity in contemporary Western societies — those ranging from popular superstition, mysticism and the occult to the so-called quasi-religions that, in recent years, have increasingly attracted sociological interest. In this final chapter then, we recognize that many forms of popular religion today are not displayed via institutionalized or ‘official’ channels. Nor are they necessarily articulated through the new religions. Indeed, there are a vast range of religious beliefs and practices to be considered which are not easily discernible and rarely acknowledged by traditional religious authorities.