Vicarious Religion: A Methodological Challenge

Abstract This chapter examines the concept of vicarious religion, that is, the notion of religion performed by an active minority but on behalf of a much larger number, who (implicitly at least) not only understand but approve of what the minority is doing. The first part of the chapter offers multiple examples of vicarious religion in practice. The second part examines the sociological methodologies that are most likely to elicit data appropriate to this field. The chapter ends with a brief consideration of how vicarious religions might evolve in the foreseeable future and a short note on the American case. Following 9/11, this phenomenon of European religion may begin to resonate more widely.