Introduction : Faith in an experience society / Maureen Junker-Kenny -- Societies of instant gratification in different cultures. Europe and North America / Zygmunt Bauman. Asia / John Joseph Puthenkalam. Latin America at the turn of the millennium : between immediatism and holiness / Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer -- Sociological analysis. Individualism, a change in values, the experience society : converging trends in sociology / Miklos Tomka -- Theological interpretations. Dangerous memory of Jesus Christ in a post-traditional society / Alberto Moreira. Instant gratification and liberation / Ferdinand Dagmang. River and the mountain / Subhash Anand. Aesthetic existence and Christian identity / Michael Bongardt -- Ecclesial praxis : challenges, opportunities, models. Decline or transformation of solidarity? / Norbert Mette. New affective communities and the problem of mutual understanding / Diana L. Hayes. Fulfilment--experienced for a moment yet painfully lacking? / Hans Kessler. Documentation : Success of 'the experience society' and the most obvious mistakes in its reception / Gotz Lechner.