Understanding Religion and Society

Understanding Religion and Society: Identity, Meaning and Knowledge is aimed at undergraduate students studying religion within a social science context. Its central focus is on the roles that religion plays within social life and how these roles influence the economic, political, and socio-cultural aspects of different societies. Identity, meaning and knowledge provision are identified as underpinning all of religion's other socio-cultural functions. The book uses these three elements as central themes - a means to explore the ways in which religion operates within different societies. The book will review a range of key issues and debates within the social science study of religion, including the secularization thesis. It will review key global religious trends, such as the growth of religious fundamentalism, new religious movements, and New Age believing. The book will have a range of pedagogic features, including, short 'boxed' case studies, reflective questions and activities, suggested readings, media and online resources.