Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Sociologist Zuckerman spent a year in Scandinavia seeking to understand how Denmark and Sweden became probably the least religious countries in the world, and possibly in the history of the world. While many people, especially Christian conservatives, argue that godless societies devolve into lawlessness and immorality, Denmark and Sweden enjoy strong economies, low crime rates, high standards of living and social equality. Zuckerman interviewed 150 Danes and Swedes, and extended transcripts from some of those interviews provide the book’s most interesting and revealing moments. What emerges is a portrait of a people unconcerned and even incurious about questions of faith, God and life’s meaning. Zuckerman ventures to answer why Scandinavians remain irreligious—e.g., the religious monopoly of state-subsidized churches, the preponderance of working women and the security of a stable society—but academics may find this discussion a tad thin. Zuckerman also fails to answer the question of contentment his subtitle speaks to. Still, for those interested in the burgeoning field of secular studies—or for those curious about a world much different from the devout U.S.—this book will offer some compelling reading. (Oct.)
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Review
“His reporting of previously published material is invaluable to persons not previously familiar with such information.”
–Humanism Ireland
“In an anecdotal and eminently readable manner, Zuckerman offers a novel idea within the study of religious sociology.”
–Library Journal
“For those interested in the burgeoning field of secular studies’ or for those curious about a world much different from the devout U.S.—this book will offer some compelling reading.”
–Publishers Weekly
“Society Without God” offers a unique perspective on the active debate regarding the necessity of religion . . . By turning to one of the most secular societies in the world, Scandanavia, Phil Zuckerman offers an empirically grounded account of a successful society where people are happy and content and help their neighbors without believing in God. The book is fluently written and highly illuminating. It offers an accessible entry to important questions in the study of religion and secularism.”
-Michael Pagis,Journal of the American Academy of Religion
“Much that he found will surprise many people, as it did him.”
–The New York Times
Scandinavian Nonbelievers, Which Is Not to Say Atheists
– –The New York Times
PHIL ZUCKERMAN 