The religious and the political : a comparative sociology of religion / Bryan S. Turner.

"Religion and politics are two fundamental dimensions of human society, and yet they are often at loggerheads. Religion appears to belong to a different realm, signifying matters that are permanent and enduring, residing beyond the everyday. Politics appears to involve the secular struggle for power and influence, being driven by interest"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 255-271).

-- Fear of diversity: the origin of politics -- Charisma and church-state relations -- City, nation, and globe: the rise of the church and the citizen -- Religion and kingship: liturgies and royal rituals -- Religion and reproduction: marriage and family -- Conversion and the state -- Religion, state, and legitimacy: three dimensions of authority -- Buddhism and the political: the sangha and the state -- Confucianism and state ideology: China -- Religion, state, and Japanese exceptionalism: nihonjinron -- State and Turkish secularism: the case of the Diyanet / with Berna Zengin Arslan.