1. Research Library

        Holy Ignorance: When Religion and Culture Diverge

        Oliver Roy

        C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd 2010

        ISBN 9781850659921

      1. Roy, a sociologist of religion who has previously written on Turkey and westernization as well as Islam, presents a synthesis in this major work, focused on how religion thrives within globalization because it is ‘de-culturized’ (delinked from culture). Roy claims the secularization of society has effected religion’s liberation from culture, with the ironic result that instead of making religion less influential in the public sphere, fundamentalism enjoys resurgence in today’s world. Roy’s focus goes beyond radical Islam to include Judaism and evangelicalism, pointing to the resurgence as a global phenomenon, not particular to any one religion.