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A Sociology of Seeking A response to the depletion of the rhetoric of sociology and the spiritual capital of theology, this volume explores the remains of Christianity that still lurk as portents in a progressively de-Christianised society seeking replacements for belief. With the sociologist set in the role of an oracle seeking traces of Christianity in a discipline in which the intrusion of theological understandings has become harder to resist, it offers a narrative of belief following the direction of an exemplary portent: the finger. Through the exploration of broad trends in culture and modern history, this study, informed by interactionist thought, examines both the place of sociology in Christian theology, and the failure of theology to connect to its surrounding culture, asking how the two disciplines might meld profitably together. As such, it will appeal to social theorists and theologians, as well as sociologists with interests in religion, culture and secularisation. Kieran Flanagan is Senior Research Fellow in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at the University of Bristol, UK. He is the author of: Sociological Noir: Irruptions and the Darkness of Modernity (2017); Sociology in Theology: Reflexivity and Belief (2007); Seen and Unseen: Visual Culture, Sociology and Theology (2004); The Enchantment of Sociology: A Study of Theology and Culture (1996); Sociology and Liturgy: Re-presentations of the Holy (1991); and co-editor with Peter C. Jupp of: Sociology of Spirituality (2007); Virtue Ethics and Sociology: Issues of Modernity and Religion (2001); and Postmodernity, Sociology and Religion (1996). Classical and Contemporary Social Theory Series Editor: Stjepan G. Mestrovic, Texas A&M University, USA Classical and Contemporary Social Theory publishes rigorous scholarly work that re-discovers the relevance of social theory for contemporary times, demonstrating the enduring importance of theory for modern social issues. The series covers social theory in a broad sense, inviting contributions on both 'classical' and modern theory, thus encompassing sociology, without being confined to a single discipline. As such, work from across the social sciences is welcome, provided that volumes address the social context of par ticular issues, subjects, or figures and offer new understandings of social rea lity and the contribution of a theorist or school to our understanding of it. The series considers significant new appraisals of established thinkers or schools, comparative works or contributions that discuss a particular social issue or phenomenon in relation to the work of specific theorists or theoretical approaches. Contributions are welcome that assess broad strands of thought within certain schools or across the work of a number of thinkers, but always with an eye toward contributing to contemporary understandings of social issues and contexts. Titles in this series: A Sociology of Seeking Portents of Belief Kieran Flanagan True Believers and the Great Replacement Understanding Anomie and Alienation Alf Walle The Concept of Tragedy Its Importance for the Social Sciences in Unsettled Times Sam Han For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.routledge.com/sociology/series/ASHSER1383 A Sociology of Seeking Portents of Belief Kieran Flanagan Designed cover image: Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness, oil on canvas, Michele Desubleo (circa 1601–1676); currently held at the National Gallery of Ireland. Reproduction of a public domain work from Wikimedia Commons. First published 2023 by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 and by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2023 Kieran Flanagan The right of Kieran Flanagan to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Flanagan, Kieran, 1944-author. Title: A sociology of seeking: portents of belief / Kieran Flanagan. Description: Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2022. | Series: Classical and contemporary social theory | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Identifiers: LCCN 2022038505 | ISBN 9781032322803 (hbk) | ISBN 9781032322810 (pbk) | ISBN 9781003314271 (ebk) Subjects: LCSH: Christian sociology. | Belief and doubt. | God (Christianity)--Knowableness. Classification: LCC BT738 .F4986 2022 | DDC 261.8--dc23/eng/20221121 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022038505 ISBN: 978-1-032-32280-3 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-032-32281-0 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-31427-1 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003314271 Typeset in Times New Roman by Taylor & Francis Books To my (very) lively and well-read grandnieces and grandnephews: Arthur, Conn, Freya, Hazel, Luisa and Milo Contents Acknowledgements viii Prologue 1 1 Prophets and oracles: Zeitgeist and a sociology of indeterminacy 19 2 Change and decay: Missing something missing 74 3 Religion: A concept of no fixed abode 119 4 Images and icons: The ocular dilemmas of the state 164 5 The finger: A portent of sociological deliverance 217 Epilogue 263 Bibliography 273 Index 290 Acknowledgements Compared to other studies, which seemed to have legions to acknowledge, this study had very few to mention. Perhaps this reflected the few working in this comparatively unexplored area of sociology in theology. The small number to be noted might also reflect the isolation resulting from coronavirus, the proneness of academics to home working, and the difficulties of finding conference and seminar outlets to network and to make contact. But that said, those acknowledged below made substantial contributions to the study and to its completion, for which I am most grateful. Without the support from Neil Jordan, Senior Editor at Routledge, the journey of this text would have been hazardous to put it mildly. He was meticulous, fought for the cover, and was ever patient with anxious emails and memos. The second thanks goes to the anonymous reviewer who saw the wood from many trees in the proposal and whose candour forced out a much better and more focused work. His report was indispensable. Thirdly, the late Michael Liversidge, Emeritus Dean, well supplied with espresso coffee, was the model of a generous scholar who shared many insights into the history of art that underpinned this trio of works. As always, I am extremely grateful to Peter C. Jupp for his generous, careful, insightful and supportive reading of the manuscript. Finally, Cecily Blench was a wonderful copy-editor to have on the manuscript and I am very grateful for her attention to detail. Needless to say, any mistakes left are my responsibility. My colleague at the University of Bristol, now retired, William Watts Miller, provided many pointers to the works of Durkheim and also generated an interest in the French Revolution which led to Chapter 4’s concerns with the Festival of the Supreme Being. Paul Hill, an icon painter at Clifton Cathedral, Bristol, put me on to the schism of the Old Brethren in the Russian Orthodox Church. Fr. Michael Robertson had his usual gift of intuiting what I should look at in the course of this work and its predecessors. My brother Brian made patient enqui ries about the book’s progress which I dedicate to his grandchildren. A Senior Research Fellowship at the University of Bristol, attached to the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies greatly facilitated the work. A French sociologist, commenting on previous works, declared that ‘they stank of incense’. Given the involvement in Clifton Cathedral, it is hardly Acknowledgements ix surprising that much of this smoke has drifted into this particular work. The support and framework of Clifton Cathedral, Bristol, its clergy, priests and deacons and its congregation kept Catholic spirits up at a time when the mass media either ignored these or sought to bring them down. Compared to an Anglican cathedral, Clifton Catholic Cathedral runs on an administrative shoestring of staff and volunteers. Special mention should be made of the Dean, Canon Bosco MacDonald, who coped with equanimity with fire, roof leaks, major refurbishments and coronavirus, besides the ‘normal’ round of masses, funerals, baptisms and weddings. Mary Manners, the cathedral administrator, indefatigable, witty and hyper-efficient in coping with an astonishing range of demands on her time, was another beacon for this work. Roberto Maestri, Transfer team leader, Welsh Ambulance Service, was a cheerful prop for the study. My ‘liturgical side-kick’, he was told to ‘offer things up’ when any, or few, misadventures occurred on the sanctuary. Immersion in the liturgical practice of such a cathedral offset any sense of gloom or despond in writing this work and kept my feet on the ground. Too much of belief was seen there over 40 years to render unbelief credible. Lastly, the support of Carlo Acutis, looking after the computer and printer, and Luigi Sturzo’saffirmation of the pursuit of sociology into theology sustained the writing of the study in ways that should advance the cause for their canoni sation. It is a matter of record that the study was actually completed, finally, on the feast day below. Kieran Flanagan The Birthday of Saint John the Baptist 23rd June 2022