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The Eclipse of Eternity

A Sociology of the Afterlife

  • Book
  • © 1996

Overview

Authors:
  1. Tony Walter

    1. Department of Sociology, University of Reading, UK

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
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  2. Introduction

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 1-7

  3. The Afterlife: A Theological Survey

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 9-25

  4. The Afterlife: Popular Beliefs Today

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 27-48

  5. Secularisation and the Terror of Death

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 49-68

  6. Idealist and Materialist Explanations

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 69-77

  7. Medicine: The Secularisation of Hope

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 79-90

  8. The Secularisation of Ritual: Funerals and Burials

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 91-102

  9. The Secularisation of Ritual: Cremation and Dissection

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 103-115

  10. Loss: The Secularisation of Meaning

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 117-130

  11. Retrospect and Prospect

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 131-136

  12. Pastoral Care

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 137-148

  13. Heavens on Earth

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 149-160

  14. Ethics without Eternity

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 161-171

  15. The Reappearance of the Hereafter

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 173-189

  16. The Eclipse of Eternity

    • Tony Walter
    Pages 191-195

  17. Back Matter

    Pages 197-222
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Keywords

About this book

Many people still believe in life after death, but modern institutions operate as though this were the only world - eternity is now eclipsed from view in society and even in the church. This book carefully observes the eclipse - what caused it, how full is it, what are its consequences, will it last? How significant is recent interest in near-death experiences and reincarnation?

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Sociology, University of Reading, UK

    Tony Walter

About the author

TONY WALTER

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