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Serious social scientists whcare about making sense of the world can nlonger ignore the fact that religious beliefs and practices are an important part of this world Nor can scholars claim tunderstand religion by adding a couple of variables ttheir models, anymore than they could understand race, gender, or social class this way This Handbook is a valuable resource for specialists and amateurs alike The editors have done an exceptionally fine job of incorporating topics that illuminate the range and diversity of religion and its continuing significance throughout the world —Robert Wuthnow, Princeton UniversityAt a time when religions are increasingly affecting, and affected by, life beyond the narrowly sacred sphere, religion everywhere seems tbe caught up in change and conflict In the midst of this contention and confusion, the sociology of religion provides a rich source of understanding and explanation This Handbook presents an unprecedentedly comprehensive assessment of the field, both where it has been and where it is headed Like its many distinguished contributors, its topics and their coverage are truly global in their reach The Handbooks 35 chapters are organized inteight sections: basic theories and debates; methods of studying religion; social forms and experiences of religion; issues of power and control in religious organizations; religion and politics; individual religious behaviour in social context; religion, self-identity and the life-course; and case studies of China, Eastern Europe, Israel, Japan, and MexicoEach chapter establishes benchmarks for the state of sociological thinking about religion in the 21st century and provides a rich bibliography for pursuing its subject further Overall, the Handbook stretches the field conceptually, methodologically, comparatively, and historically It promises tbe an indispensable source of guidance and insight for both students and scholars for years tcome Praise for this text:In their introduction tthis Handbook, the editors affirm: Many sociologists have come trealise that it makes nsense now tomit religion from the repertoire of social scientific explanations of social life I wholeheartedly agree I alssuggest that this wide-ranging set of essays should become a starting-point for such enquiries Each chapter is clear, comprehensive and well-structured - making the Handbook a real asset for all those engaged in the field —Grace Davie, Professor of Sociology, University of Exeter, UKIn the last twdecades the sociology of religion has experienced an intellectual renaissance The old paradigm of secularization has been replaced with new theories and methods recognising the importance of religion in modern society The new topics include women and spirituality, violence and power, globalization and glocalization, fundamentalism, identity and life course, spiritual markets and rational choice theory The Handbook for the Sociology of Religion not only reflects but develops and extends this renaissance Not smuch a handbook but an intellectual feast —Bryan Turner, National University of Singapore
