Locating Nonreligion, in Mind, Body and Space: New Research Methods for a New Field

This paper introduces the general methodological problems facing researchers who wish to account for nonreligion, before identifying the one assumption that researchers are likely to bring to this generally unfamiliar field of enquiry and which is already and demonstrably limiting the scope of research methodologies. The author uses findings from his own research, an exploratory project working with nonreligion and secularity in south east England, to demonstrate that, to the contrary, the latter forms exist and provide alternative possibilities to researchers in the field. The general aim of the chapter is to help open up sociology to the wide-ranging prospects that the study of nonreligion presents, whilst also providing some potential new 'ways in' to this new and broad field of study. The chapter has attempted to clarify the confused concept of nonreligion, a necessary foundation for any research design in the area.