The Sociology of Religion

"Davie accomplishes four things, any one of which would be worth the price of the book. First, she provides a clear, thorough review of theory and research in the sociology of religion, and argues successfully for its position as a central subdiscipline. Second, she displays an impressive command of comparative literature in the field, using French, British, and other European sources in addition to those from North American; this makes her presentation both wide and deep...Third, Davie underlines the importance of context, historical and geographical, for understanding how theory and case studies develop...Finally, the author′s endnotes and her extensive bibliography give excellent guidance to beginning and experienced readers alike." ―C. Hendershott, New School UniversityWhy is religion still important? Can we be fully modern and fully religious? This book, written by one of the leading figures in the field, works at two levels. First it sets out the agenda – covering the key questions in the sociology of religion today. At the same time, it interrogates this agenda – asking if the sociology of religion, as we currently know it, is ′fit for purpose′. If not, what is to be done? In a single volume Grace Davie captures the nature and forms of modern religion, the current debates in the field and the prospects for future development.