Religion in Modern Europe examines religion as a form of collective memory. This is a memory held in place by Europe's institutional churches, educational systems, and the mass media - all of which are themselves responding to rapid social and economic change. The book also examines the increasing diversity of Europe's religious life.

Introduction ; Chapter One. Facts and Figures: a profile of religion in modern Europe ; Chapter Two. Theoretical Perspectives ; Chapter Three. Vicarious Memory 1: the churches ; Chapter Four. Vicarious Memory 2: the church-goers ; Chapter Five. Precarious Memory: religion in the education systems of Europe ; Chapter Six. Mediated Memory: religion and the European media ; Chapter Seven. Alternative Memories 1: pluralism and the law ; Chapter Eight. Alternative Memories 2: religious innovations ; Chapter Nine. Aesthetic or Symbolic Memory: the cultural sphere ; Chapter Ten. Conclusion

`A library of recent professional research lies behind this book, and it may well prove to be seminal for future writing. But for all those who are concerned for the Church's mission on the continent (as well as on the islands on its western fringe) this book ought to be required reading - all CofE ordinands included.' The Revd Jonathan Godall, Bishop's Chaplain and Research Officer `The book deserves a wide readership and its blend of accessibility, empirical rigour, and theoretical sophistication should ensure, that like its predecessor, it becomes a standard text for some time to come.' Journal of Contemporary Religion, vol.16, no.3 `represents a major theoretical contribution to the discourses surrounding religion, identity and the disembedding of culture. An attractive feature is the inclusion of a wide range of scholarly material from non-English speaking sources, making this book both truly European in scope and introducing the reader to significant theoretical developments originating within European sociology.' Journal of Contemporary Religion, vol.16, no.3 `Davie's 'Religion in Britain since 1945' (1994) quickly established itself as a standard teaching text and this successor volume has been awaited with keen anticipation. Davie does not disappoint. The product of impressive scholarship, exhaustively researched and theoretically innovative, this book represents an important addition to our understanding of contemporary religious life.' Journal of Contemporary Religion, vol.16, no.3 `a bold and by no means unsuccessful gesture towards comprehensive coverage of contemporary European religion' Bryan Wilson, The Tablet `a careful and distinguished analysis of the concept of 'secularisation' as applied to modern Europe ... one of its cardinal virtues is that it throws out diverting hints and implications which a tight theme and the limitations of space will not allow to be explored further.' Rev. Prof. Edward Norman, Church Times 12/01/01. `Dr Davie's excellence resides in her sensitivity to the slippery nature of her materials. Her summary of the present realations of Church and state in European countries is also especially useful.' Rev. Prof. Edward Norman, Church Times 12/01/01. A contemporary survey of a continent which is beginning to forget that it once was Christian. The Gospel and Our Culture, Spring 2002