2012/08/07 by Denis MacEoin · 2 citations
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Religion and Society Interactions #Weber, Simmel, Sociological Theory #Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices #Faith #Sociology #Insider #Economic Justice #Counterpoint #Religious studies #Aesthetics #Theology #Law #Epistemology #Philosophy #Political science #Pedagogy
paper · doi:10.1080/0048721x.2012.705975
published in Religion 43(2), 160-177 (Taylor & Francis)
openalex publication_date 2012/08/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The present review examines five books, one by a non-Baha'i, three by a Baha'i academic, and one by a Baha'i non-academic. The non-Baha'i volume, which is very short, is by a Danish sociologist of religion, Margit Warburg. It forms a solid explanatory text informed by a lengthy experience of the Baha'is both in Denmark and abroad. This review discusses, inter alia, three volumes by a Baha'i sociologist, Peter Smith. While the three titles are very different books, taken together they form an intelligent presentation of the religion from the perspective of a thoughtful insider. Finally, the article looks at a completely different sort of book, an intelligent portrayal of Baha'ism from its spiritual and moral perspectives by Moojan Momen. This last brings readers closest to typical fare for believers and new converts.