- Offers a clear and comprehensive grounding of the subject for a course that is often not taught by sociology specialists and enriches its content with adaptable pedagogical resources within the text and online. - Organized around several important questions related to the relationship between religion and society, the book helps students to consider and develop key arguments and ideas and teaches them to question, engage critically, and develop independent thinking skills. - Draws in-depth knowledge from numerous sources - both foundational and contemporary - and enlivens the coverage with relatable, engaging, and occasionally equivocal examples and illustrations. - The new edition provides expanded and up-to-date coverage of critical issues regarding race and religious congregations; religious polarization; religion, gender and sexuality; and the effects of rapid technological change on religion and faith.