This book shows counter-intuitively, that the secular enterprise that everyday sociology appears to be pursuing is actually not what is really going on at sociology's deepest level. Sociology today is in fact animated by sacred impulses, driven by sacred commitments, and serves a sacred project. This book re-asserts a vision for what sociology is most important for, in contrast with its current commitments, and calls sociologists back to a more honest, fair, andhealthy vision of its purpose.

• I. The Argument


• I.b The Project


• II. Evidence


• III. Spiritual Practices


• IV. How Did We Get Here?-The Short Story


• V. Consequences


• VI. The Question of Accountability


• VII. What is Sociology Good For?


• Appendix

Christian Smith is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame, Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society, Director of the Notre Dame Center for Social Research, Principal Investigator of the National Study of Youth and Religion, and Principal Investigator of the Science of Generosity Initiative.