The first sociology of religion textbook to begin the task of diversifying and decolonizing the study of religion, Sociology of Religion develops a sociological frame that draws together the personal, political and public, showing how religion - its origins, development and changes - is understood as a social institution, influenced by and influencing wider social structures.
Organized along sociological structures and themes, the book works with examples from a variety of religious traditions and regions rather than focusing in depth on a selection, and foregrounds cultural practice-based understandings of religion. It is therefore a book about -religion-, not -religions-, that explores the relationship of religion with gender and sexuality, crime and violence, generations, politics and media, -race-, ethnicity and social class, disease and disability - highlighting the position of religion in social justice and equality.
Each chapter of this book
